Reflecting on who we are as disciples

December 1, 2002 -- First Sunday of Advent

	Fr. Richard Ver Bust

As we begin the new liturgical year and proceed through the Sundays of Advent, we are called upon progressively to come to a deeper understanding of Christ and his multiple comings.

We may think first of the historical event of the birth of Christ, but we may also think of his repeated comings to us in grace and in the sacraments. Our tradition also reflects on what we often call the final coming of Christ. While in the first days of the church they expected this within their lifetime, this coming after two millennia doesn't have the same impact.

The Gospel reading of this First Sunday of Advent has some key words that we should use to reflect, including the words "watch" and "alert." Watch is a demand that we cannot avoid. At the center is a parable or story which emphasizes this thought. It tells us to be watchful for we do not know when Christ will return. When we use the word "time," we usually think of clock time. But behind the Greek word which refers to time is the concept that this is a special moment. It is a moment that will suddenly be there and something unique will happen.

There are references to different times of the day, including evening, midnight, cockcrow, and dawn. These are all references to what a Roman soldier knew were special parts of a night watch to which he had been assigned. So when it is applied to us as Christians, it is telling us that like that Roman soldier we are expected to be awake and not napping. A soldier who would fall asleep in any army would be punished severely. And while we are not really soldiers, we can understand the implications of what is meant.

Vatican II talked about knowing the signs of the time. We must know our culture and what is good or bad. We must be aware of how in these modern times we still must live our faith commitment, reinterpreting what it means to us today. The demands of today are very different. Yet we also know that underlying all of it is the reality of where and how we set our priorities. So the admonition of the gospel still applies, but we must make our own application.

The first reading from the prophet Isaiah points to both the need for prayer in times of distress and the need to acknowledge God's power or sovereignty. Israel had to be aware of the acts of God in saving them both in the Exodus and numerous other times. These "mighty deeds" pointed to a God, who cared. So they reflected on what God had done in the past and now lived in expectation that God would still be there to help them. While they had not always been faithful, they knew they could once more repent and turn to God for help. So they had hope, which all people need. The responsorial psalm reinforces this thought using various images of God such as a shepherd, military leader and vinedresser. All of these were metaphors which showed God's care and relationship to the people of Israel.

Finally the second reading from Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians reminds the members of the church of God's wonderful gifts, especially of grace in their call to faith. He reminds them that they live in a time which followed Christ's birth and his future return. We must live that life of faith which is consistent to our call. We can expect God's continued blessings.

(Fr. Ver Bust holds the title of professor emeritus in religious studies at St. Norbert College, De Pere.)