Homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent Year C
Theme: The coming of the Lord and it’s preparation
By: Fr. Francis Onwunali
Homily for Sunday November 28 2021
Today we begin Advent, the time of waiting for the fulfilment of the promise of the coming of our Lord. It is the beginning of a new Liturgical year. The theme across the readings today is on the coming of the Lord and preparation for it. There are three types of the “coming of the Lord”.
First is the expectation of the coming of the Messiah; of the house of David to restore justice and peace. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: ‘The Lord our justice” (Jer 33: 14-16).
The second coming takes place daily in many and various ways in every loving heart, for He comes with new gifts and new graces, and our openness counts a lot. Finally, the coming at the hour of death and on the Day of Judgment. This is the time for preparation and being vigilant in order to stand before the Son of Man ready. (Lk 21 25-36).
Dear friends, success is defined as “preparedness awaiting opportunity”. All the comings of the Lord call for preparation. If prepared, there will be no panic as to when the coming will take place. This Advent is making a call on us to be adventurous, religiously and spiritually adventurous. We are challenged to step out of our normal activities and do something more positive, more caring and more Christ-like.
I pray that as we journey in life beginning today, we will see in God who generously gave us Himself in Christ, a model for us to give generously of ourselves for the good of others. Let us take the words of St. Paul to heart: Finally, brother and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God- and as you are conducting yourselves- you do so even more (1Thes. 4: 1-2). Have a Happy and Gracious Sunday!
Fr. Francis Onwunali