The First Sunday of Advent
Jesus calls us to stay vigilant and faithful amid life’s turmoil, warning against distractions. His return promises redemption, bringing ultimate victory over sin and suffering.
Gospel according to Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Reflections
To mark the beginning of the liturgical year, Jesus speaks of a time when signs in the heavens and on Earth will fill people with great fear and uncertainty. His prophecy paints a vivid picture of a period of chaos, where cosmic anomalies, natural disasters, and societal unrest will prevail. There will be times when it seems like everything is falling apart. This imagery can provoke reflection on times in our own lives when we face great difficulties, where we may feel like we are caught in a great storm, left with little hope. Jesus teaches that despite our challenges, we have nothing to be afraid of, as the day of redemption is coming: A time of turmoil is not the end, but rather, the beginning of something new. He reminds us to endure through our daily trials, remaining instruments of God’s plan.
Jesus sternly warns against the earthly distractions of “carousing and drunkenness, and the anxieties of daily life” (Luke 21:34). They can cause us to become stuck in the present moment, such that we forget about the eternal perspective of our Heavenly Father. It can be very tempting to become preoccupied with comfort, wealth and pleasure, and to seek temporary, worldly satisfaction at the cost of our spiritual health. Jesus calls us to attention, reminding us to stay vigilant, as worldly indulgences can become like a trap that leads us astray from the path to salvation. The snares of the world can make our hearts heavy and distracted, and can obscure our focus on reaching the Kingdom of God. If we stay alert and faithful, we can be better prepared to face the challenges ahead.
Despite all the troubling imagery in this passage, Jesus preaches an underlying message of hope. When it seems like the world is ending, and everything is crumbling around us, it signals that the day of redemption is coming. When Jesus speaks of “the Son of Man, coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27), He does not describe a scene of fear, but rather an image of ultimate deliverance from sin. Jesus teaches that, even during the darkest hours, God will still have a plan for our salvation. Jesus’ return will mark a time when all suffering will be over, and God’s Justice will triumph over all evil. This section reminds us that the trials of life are only temporary, and that our true home is in God’s Kingdom, which will have no end.
Jesus urges His followers to “Be vigilant at all times, and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent” (Luke 21:36). He calls us to maintain a perspective that goes beyond the current moment despite the chaos around us, and to keep in mind that the ultimate triumph belongs only to God. Through His death on the Cross, followed by His resurrection, Jesus has already secured the victory of His Kingdom over all evil. With a faithful and vigilant heart, we can participate in the victory of Jesus Christ. We are called to live with hope, and to know that Jesus’ Second Coming will bring a final triumph of righteousness over sin.