For What It's Worth by Erin

The Twofold Meaning of Advent:  We think we know the stories of Advent, but do we? Sunday Advent readings prepare us in two ways, in this order: the 2nd coming of Jesus at the end of time, and the 1st coming in the Incarnation on Christmas.

The 1st Sunday readings point to the 2nd coming of Christ. Advent begins our new Church year which features the Gospel of Luke, which we now hear every Sunday. This Gospel reminds us to “get ready” for the final Advent.

How? St. Luke tells us , “Watch and pray.” Keep vigil—develop spiritual strength. The church is calling us to “grow in holiness”.  How? Just what we are doing now, praying with the Word of God and deepening our relationship with Jesus through prayer. Our first reading is from the prophet Jeremiah, foretelling Jesus’ first coming.

This is how these two readings come together, reflecting the dual meeting of Advent I spoke about. Jesus was foretold and was expected by the people of Israel. We can ponder now as we wait to celebrate Christmas, do we yearn for Jesus to come back?

The Psalm for this week expresses this yearning, “To you O Lord, I lift up my soul.” and vs. 5 “for you I wait all the day long.”. What are we grateful for and sorry about? What is God calling us to do this Advent?+

KEEP READING for next week—2nd Sunday of Advent: