Cycle A | Advent | Week 1
REFLECTION
– By Fr Ugo Ikwuka
Archway, London
A child was asked why it was necessary that he should keep quiet in Church and he said: “Because people are sleeping.” As we begin the great season of advent in preparation for the special coming of the Lord at Christmas, the Gospel invites us to stay awake and stand ready.
This is essentially the one response we are called to make for the Lord’s coming in all its forms including his final coming (be it at the end of the world or the end of our individual lives), and for encounter with him in everyday experiences.
We are to stay awake and stand ready because, as the Gospel says, “the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” But why will God conceal something that important? Does he want to catch us out? Surely not, for His plans for us are for good not for evil (Jeremiah 29:11). More likely, He wants to spare us the anxiety that could come with such knowledge as many could die before their time if the uncertainty that allows us to hope is removed. On the other hand, with sure knowledge of when the end will come, we could begin to live recklessly, aiming to amend our lives at the 11th hour. Surely, experience is against leaving things for the last minute. It therefore boils down to being ready as the only healthy way to live.
How do we stay awake and stand ready? St Paul in the Second Reading has some advice: “Let us give up all the things we tend to do under cover of darkness and live decently as people do in the daytime.” Today, psychology recognises the “dark personality” i.e. dark areas in the lives of us all; things we do, say or think which we would not like others to know about because they are inappropriate.
To be watchful and ready does not mean anxiously going after end-time prophecies and visions that have increased in our day. It is rather to be awake to our duties as responsible children of the world and of God.
Way back in 1789, story has it that one day while the Connecticut House of Representatives was in session, the sky suddenly grew dark and gloomy. Some of the representatives thought this was sign of the end. There was uproar with the representatives calling for immediate adjournment of the session. But the House Speaker Colonel Davenport rose and said: “Gentlemen, the Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. Therefore, I wish that candles be brought.” Candles were brought and the session continued.
Brilliant isn’t it? Yet, as the Gospel indicates, those that perished in Noah’s day were equally going about their everyday businesses. So, what went wrong? Well, perhaps, like Martha, they were so busy doing them that they failed to be in touch with that which gives meaning to their endeavours – God.
The Prophet Isaiah in the First Reading envisions that “the mountain of the Temple of the Lord shall tower over the mountains… (and that) all the nations will stream to it….” The mountain in question is Mount Zion (Jerusalem) with the Temple as its summit. So, is the Mountain of the Temple of the Lord towering over the mountains in your life? In other words, is the praise and worship of God more important to you than anything else – your job, friendships, family, hobbies etc – all those life endeavours which so raptly engaged people in the days of Noah. If it’s not, then, something is out of place.
If you don’t have the love of God first in your heart, then, you will mishandle the other goods of your life and they might eventually destroy you. But if the love of God is the highest mountain in your life i.e. your passion, then everything falls in place in your life; profession, family, relationships, hobbies etc.
Isaiah continues that we go up the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Jacob “that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths…” People came to the Jerusalem Temple to be instructed in the law. Today, statistics indicate that 75% of Catholics stay away from Church (Mass) on regular basis. In other words, they go somewhere else for their instruction. The leading instructor today is Google. But, the extent Google will provide answers to the deepest and most abiding questions remains to be seen.
Isaiah concludes: “He will wield authority over the nations and adjudicate between many peoples (who) will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift sword against nation, neither will there be war anymore…” This touches on one of the most fundamental principles of the spiritual life – that the worship of God is the only true ground for peace.
At the end of World War II, the United Nations was established as the way to achieve world peace. Since then however, the US alone has fought in Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan to mention the major conflicts. War has continued in the Middle East, regions of Africa and South America.
Scarcity leads to survival of the fittest hence as the goods of the world (wealth, power, honour etc) are finite, absolute desire for them will inevitably lead to conflict. They could never be enough. The only good that is infinite (unlimited) is God. Everybody can desire God absolutely – love Him with all our hearts, all our soul and all our strength without conflict erupting. That’s why the formula is: Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth. If everybody loves God absolutely, peace will break out, swords will be reshaped into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks – instruments of violence become instruments of productivity.
