First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 63:16 - 64:7  This section of the book of the prophet Isaiah introduced the People of God to the vision of a New Heaven and a New Earth, that would be brought about when God breaks through to the world in a new way, like when He appeared to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  We Christians understand that this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus who brings us a fulfillment / perfection of the Law.

Last Sunday, we heard the reading from the Gospel according to Matthew about the final judgement. Jesus tells us that when we ignore the needs of the poor, we ignore his needs.  When we reach out to the poor and outcast, we do it for him.  This week, we hear in the prophet Isaiah, "Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways!" (Is 64:4)  By ourselves, we are unable to do right, our efforts fall short, but at the end of the first reading this Sunday, we hear, "Yet, LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you our potter: we are all the work of your hand." (Is 64:7) If we allow God to shape us, and mold us, like a potter shapes clay, we can be what God intends us to be.  It is Christ himself who enables us to reach out the the poor, the hungry, the imprisoned, and sick.  Here is a neat 1 min. reflection video from Youtube.

St. Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians, "that in him you were enriched in every way." (1Cor. 1:5) If we allow ourselves to live in Christ, and Christ in us, we are busy being who God intends us to be.  We don't lack any spiritual gift because of Jesus.

When Christ, the Lord of our house comes, may he find us alert, doing his work in the world, and eagerly watching for his return.