First Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 1
Lectionary: 1
This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come,
the mountain of the LORD’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths.”
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come,
the mountain of the LORD’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths.”
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Responsorial
PsalmPS 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. Let us
go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my brothers and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my brothers and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Reading 2ROM 13:11-14
Brothers and sisters:
You know the time;
it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.
For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;
the night is advanced, the day is at hand.
Let us then throw off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,
not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
You know the time;
it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.
For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;
the night is advanced, the day is at hand.
Let us then throw off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,
not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
AlleluiaCF. PS 85:8
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Show us Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 24:37-44
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Meditation: Watch and be ready - the day
of the Lord's coming draws near
Why did Jesus compare "the coming of the Son of
Man" with the "days of Noah" (Matthew 24:37)? Scripture
describes both events as a day of judgment and the separation of the just from
the unjust. It is a time when the Lord of heaven and earth gathers to himself
those who are his own. Separation is an inevitable consequence of the
fundamental choices people have made - whether for God or against God. The
fundamental choices we make can either lead us towards God and his will for us
or they can lead us in a direction that is opposed to God or contrary to his
wisdom and plan for our lives and well-being.
The days of Noah
The Book of Genesis describes why God chose to separate Noah and his family who were faithful to God from those who had utterly rejected God and corrupted the earth with violence and evil:
The Book of Genesis describes why God chose to separate Noah and his family who were faithful to God from those who had utterly rejected God and corrupted the earth with violence and evil:
"The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was
great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was
only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5), "with corruption and violence
spreading everywhere" (Genesis 6:11-12).
Why did so many perish when the day of judgment came?
They were caught completely unaware and unprepared for the disaster that swept
them away. The Lord Jesus warned his disciples and he issues the same warning
to us today - be alert and be prepared to meet the Lord today and every day - and
when he comes again to judge the living and the dead.
The ark of refuge
Just as God provided a safe haven and place of refuge for Noah and his family in the ark which spared them from destruction (Genesis 7), the Lord provides for us today a place of refuge in the ark of his people - the body of Christ - who listen to his word and obey his voice. God made a covenant of peace with Noah and his descendants (Genesis 9:8-17). Noah's ark was a prophetic sign and beacon of hope which prefigured the new covenant of everlasting peace which the Lord Jesus would accomplish through his atoning death on the cross, resurrection, and outpouring of the Holy Spirit on his disciples.
Just as God provided a safe haven and place of refuge for Noah and his family in the ark which spared them from destruction (Genesis 7), the Lord provides for us today a place of refuge in the ark of his people - the body of Christ - who listen to his word and obey his voice. God made a covenant of peace with Noah and his descendants (Genesis 9:8-17). Noah's ark was a prophetic sign and beacon of hope which prefigured the new covenant of everlasting peace which the Lord Jesus would accomplish through his atoning death on the cross, resurrection, and outpouring of the Holy Spirit on his disciples.
Jesus came to fulfill all the promises of God,
including the covenant of peace which God made with Noah. Jesus' first coming
was a rescue mission to set us free from sin and condemnation and to give us
new life in his Holy Spirit. Jesus died for our sins, rose to everlasting life,
and is now seated in glory at the right hand of the Father in heaven. He now
reigns over the heavens and the earth as the exalted Lord of creation. The Lord
Jesus promised that he would return again in glory to complete the work of
redemption which he began at his first coming.
Our merciful Savior is also our Judge and Vindicator
God fulfills all his promises to us in Jesus, our merciful Savior, who will come again as our Judge and Vindicator. Jesus told his disciples that the Father has given him all authority to execute judgments on the earth "because he is the Son of man" (John 5:27). The "Son of man" is a Messianic title for God's anointed one who will overthrow God's enemies and establish an everlasting kingdom of righteousness and peace. The "Son of man" is described in the Book of Daniel as the one who is given supreme authority to judge and execute justice on the earth (Daniel 7:13-14). Jesus came the first time to lay down his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sin of the world. He promises to return again at the "end of the age" to complete the work of restoration and final judgment. While we do not know the time of his return, we will not mistake it when it happens. It will be apparent to all, both to the followers of the Lord Jesus and to every inhabitant on the earth as well.
God fulfills all his promises to us in Jesus, our merciful Savior, who will come again as our Judge and Vindicator. Jesus told his disciples that the Father has given him all authority to execute judgments on the earth "because he is the Son of man" (John 5:27). The "Son of man" is a Messianic title for God's anointed one who will overthrow God's enemies and establish an everlasting kingdom of righteousness and peace. The "Son of man" is described in the Book of Daniel as the one who is given supreme authority to judge and execute justice on the earth (Daniel 7:13-14). Jesus came the first time to lay down his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sin of the world. He promises to return again at the "end of the age" to complete the work of restoration and final judgment. While we do not know the time of his return, we will not mistake it when it happens. It will be apparent to all, both to the followers of the Lord Jesus and to every inhabitant on the earth as well.
One is taken away and the other is left
How are we to live our lives now in light of Jesus' promise to return again as our Lord and Judge on the final day of judgment? Jesus gives two striking images to illustrate the urgency of the need to not be caught off guard and unprepared when we are suddenly summoned to appear before the Lord on the day of judgment (Matthew 24:40-41). The first image Jesus used is a description of two men working together in the field - very likely close family members or close co-workers. One is suddenly taken away and the other is left. The image of two women who are working closely together repeats the theme of the sudden rupture and separation
How are we to live our lives now in light of Jesus' promise to return again as our Lord and Judge on the final day of judgment? Jesus gives two striking images to illustrate the urgency of the need to not be caught off guard and unprepared when we are suddenly summoned to appear before the Lord on the day of judgment (Matthew 24:40-41). The first image Jesus used is a description of two men working together in the field - very likely close family members or close co-workers. One is suddenly taken away and the other is left. The image of two women who are working closely together repeats the theme of the sudden rupture and separation
Hilary of Poitiers
(315-367) an early church father, Scripture scholar and writer, explains the
meaning of this short parable.
"Christ shows that a judgment is
coming, since between two people in a field, one is taken up and one left
behind. Between two grinding at the mill, one is chosen and one rejected.
Between two lying in bed, one departs and one remains. This teaching means that
the separation of the faithful from the unfaithful will consist in one being accepted
and the other abandoned. For, like the prophet says, when the wrath of God
rises, the saints will be hidden in God’s chambers but the faithless will be
left exposed to celestial fire. The two in the field therefore represent the
faithful and the unfaithful, both of whom will be surprised by the day of the
Lord in the midst of the world, in the course of their life’s work. They will
be separated, one taken and the other left. It will be the same for the two
grinding at the mill, which represents the work of the law. For only some of
the Jews, like Elijah, believed through the apostles that they must be
justified by faith. One group will be taken up through the faith that produces
good works, and the other group will be abandoned in the fruitless works of the
law, grinding in vain at a mill that will never produce heavenly food.
(commentary ON MATTHEW 26.5)
What is striking about
Jesus' parable is the sudden and unexpected turn of events - a summons to
appear before the Judge to hear his verdict on the day of reckoning when he
acts to separate the just from the unjust. All who had faith in Jesus Christ
receive the just reward of everlasting joy and friendship in his kingdom of
righteousness and peace.
The thief in the night
Jesus' second story of the thief in the night (Matthew 24:43-44) brings home the necessity for constant watchfulness and being on guard to avert the danger of plunder and destruction, especially under the cover of darkness and secrecy! While no thief would announce his intention in advance, nor the time when he would strike, lack of vigilance would nonetheless invite disaster for those who do not keep a watchful eye and guard against the thief who would try to break in and steal. Satan tries to rob us of our faith in Jesus Christ and the treasure of the kingdom which Christ has won for us.
Jesus' second story of the thief in the night (Matthew 24:43-44) brings home the necessity for constant watchfulness and being on guard to avert the danger of plunder and destruction, especially under the cover of darkness and secrecy! While no thief would announce his intention in advance, nor the time when he would strike, lack of vigilance would nonetheless invite disaster for those who do not keep a watchful eye and guard against the thief who would try to break in and steal. Satan tries to rob us of our faith in Jesus Christ and the treasure of the kingdom which Christ has won for us.
Advent people - watching with expectant faith and
yearning for Christ's coming
The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Day when the Lord would judge between the nations and establish peace over the earth. In that day the righteous - all peoples who believed in him and who listened to his teaching and instruction - would come to his holy mountain and house to worship him and dwell with him in everlasting peace (Isaiah 2:3-5). The Advent season reminds us that we are living in the time between the first coming and second coming of the Lord Jesus.
The Lord Jesus calls us to be alert and watchful for his coming. He comes to us each and every day and he knocks on the door of our heart and home. Do you listen for his voice and welcome him into your life? Let his word in the Scriptures and the work of the Holy Spirit who dwells in you draw you to a deeper faith, hope, and yearning for his kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. Those who wait upon the Lord today and listen to his word will not be disappointed. The Lord will come and bring you to his banquet table to feast with him.
"Lord Jesus, you have captured my heart for you. Make me strong in faith, steadfast in hope, and generous in love that I may seek to please you in all things and bring you glory and praise. Keep me ever watchful for the coming of your kingdom today and every day of my life."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Finding the pearl of great price, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Day when the Lord would judge between the nations and establish peace over the earth. In that day the righteous - all peoples who believed in him and who listened to his teaching and instruction - would come to his holy mountain and house to worship him and dwell with him in everlasting peace (Isaiah 2:3-5). The Advent season reminds us that we are living in the time between the first coming and second coming of the Lord Jesus.
The Lord Jesus calls us to be alert and watchful for his coming. He comes to us each and every day and he knocks on the door of our heart and home. Do you listen for his voice and welcome him into your life? Let his word in the Scriptures and the work of the Holy Spirit who dwells in you draw you to a deeper faith, hope, and yearning for his kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. Those who wait upon the Lord today and listen to his word will not be disappointed. The Lord will come and bring you to his banquet table to feast with him.
"Lord Jesus, you have captured my heart for you. Make me strong in faith, steadfast in hope, and generous in love that I may seek to please you in all things and bring you glory and praise. Keep me ever watchful for the coming of your kingdom today and every day of my life."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Finding the pearl of great price, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
"All who listen to
the depths of the gospel and live it so completely that none of it remains
veiled from them care very little about whether the end of the world will come
suddenly and all at once or gradually and little by little. Instead, they bear
in mind only that each individual’s end or death will arrive on a day and hour
unknown to him and that upon each one of us 'the day of the Lord will come like
a thief' (1 Thessalonians 5:2). It is important therefore to be vigilant,
whether in the evening (that is, in one's youth) or in the middle of the night
(that is, at human life's darkest hour) or when the cock crows (at full
maturity) or in the morning (when one is well advanced in old age).
"When God the Word comes and brings an end to the progress of this life, he will gather up the one who gave 'no sleep to his eyes nor slumber to his eyelids' (Psalm 132:4) and kept the commandment of the One who said, 'Be vigilant at all times' (Luke 21:36). ...But I know another kind of end for the righteous person who is able to say along with the apostle, 'Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me and I to the world' (Galatians 6:14). In a certain sense, the end of the world has already come for the person to whom the world is crucified. And to one who is dead to worldly things the day of the Lord has already arrived, for the Son of man comes to the soul of the one who no longer lives for sin or for the world." (excerpt Commentary on Matthew 56)
"When God the Word comes and brings an end to the progress of this life, he will gather up the one who gave 'no sleep to his eyes nor slumber to his eyelids' (Psalm 132:4) and kept the commandment of the One who said, 'Be vigilant at all times' (Luke 21:36). ...But I know another kind of end for the righteous person who is able to say along with the apostle, 'Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me and I to the world' (Galatians 6:14). In a certain sense, the end of the world has already come for the person to whom the world is crucified. And to one who is dead to worldly things the day of the Lord has already arrived, for the Son of man comes to the soul of the one who no longer lives for sin or for the world." (excerpt Commentary on Matthew 56)
THE SEASON OF ADVENT
Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") marks the beginning of the Church's liturgical year. It is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the Lord’s first coming, in his birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas).
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Year A)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, MATTHEW 24:37-44
(Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, MATTHEW 24:37-44
(Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14)
KEY VERSE: "Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come" (v 42).
TO KNOW: The early Christians suffered persecution and they longed for the immediate return of their Lord. But Jesus told his disciples that it was futile to speculate regarding his Second Coming, for the hour of that event was known to God alone. Jesus warned them that his coming would be similar to Noah's day. Noah was a righteous man who "walked with God" (Gn 6:9). He listened to God's warning, and he and his family were saved from destruction. The sinful and lawless people had no concern about the future until the flood came and swept them all away. So too, at the time of Christ’s coming, men and women will be preoccupied with their ordinary activities. The picture of the two men in the field and the two women grinding meal (v. 40- 41) emphasize the sudden separation that Christ's coming would bring. Those prepared for Christ's arrival would be taken into God's kingdom; however, those who were unready would be left behind in their own sinfulness. Jesus' followers must prepare themselves and be vigilant for his coming whenever it might occur.
TO LOVE: Am I awake to the daily comings of the Lord in my life?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to prepare myself for your arrival at the end of the ages, and every day of my life.
Sunday 27 November 2016
Sun 27th. 1st Sunday of Advent.
Isaiah 2:1-5. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the
Lord—Ps 121(122):1-2, 4-5, 6-9. Romans 13:11-14. Matthew
24:37-44.
'Let us go rejoicing to the house of the
Lord'
Too often do we think of \Advent as the
coming of Jesus to the world. Too often, yes, because only seldom do we think
of it as our coming to Jesus as well. The thing is, the story of salvation has
two agents: our race and our God. It is not for us to just lie back, reach our
hand out and call 'Come, Lord, and rescue me'. We, too, have to strain our
muscles and pull ourselves up. If the drowning man doesn't use every ounce of
his strength to cling on the saving rope, he will perish. Yes, Jesus comes to
the rescue, he comes to be a light to our darkness, he comes to pull us out
from the realms of death; but we must be ready to cling on to him for dear
life, and that is no effortless task, it is hard and trying. We must be
prepared to be active agents of our own salvation.
ST. FRANCESCO ANTONIO FASANI
St.
Francesco Antionio was born as Giovanneillo in Lucera, Italy in 1681, the son
of Giuseppe Fasani and Isabella Della Monaca. He entered the Conventual
Franciscans in 1695 and took the names of St. Francis and St. Anthony. He spent
much of his time studying, and was ordained a priest 10 years after entering
the order. He then taught philosophy to younger friars, served as the guardian
of his friary, and later became provincial of his order. When his term of
office as provincial ended, Francesco became a novice-master, and eventually
pastor in his hometown.
In all his various ministries, he was loving, devout and penitential. He was a sought-after confessor and preacher. One witness at the canonical hearings regarding Francesco’s holiness testified, "In his preaching he spoke in a familiar way, filled as he was with the love of God and neighbor; fired by the Spirit, he made use of the words and deed of Holy Scripture, stirring his listeners and moving them to do penance."
In all his various ministries, he was loving, devout and penitential. He was a sought-after confessor and preacher. One witness at the canonical hearings regarding Francesco’s holiness testified, "In his preaching he spoke in a familiar way, filled as he was with the love of God and neighbor; fired by the Spirit, he made use of the words and deed of Holy Scripture, stirring his listeners and moving them to do penance."
Francesco
showed himself a loyal friend of the poor, never hesitating to seek from
benefactors what was needed. He was also a mystic, known for his deep prayer
life and supernatural gifts, and was known to levitate while praying.
He died in 1742 and was canonized in 1986.
He died in 1742 and was canonized in 1986.
LECTIO DIVINA: 1ST SUNDAY OF
ADVENT (A)
Lectio Divina:
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Always be ready
God can come to us at any moment
Matthew 24, 37-44
God can come to us at any moment
Matthew 24, 37-44
1. Opening prayer
Lord
Jesus, send your Spirit to help us to read the Scriptures with the same mind
that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the
Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in
the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed
to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of
resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
2. Reading
a) Key for reading:
In the Liturgy of the first Sunday of
Advent, the Church places us before an extract of the discourse of Jesus on the
end of the world. Advent means Coming. It is the
time of preparation for the coming of the Son of Man into our life. Jesus
exhorts us to be vigilant. He asks us to be attentive to the events in order to
discover in them the hour of the coming of the Son of Man.
At the beginning of Advent, it is important to purify our look and to learn anew how to read the events in the light of the Word of God. And this in order not to be surprised, because God comes without telling us, when we less expect him. To show how we should be attentive to the events, Jesus goes back to the episode of the deluge in the time of Noah.
During the reading of the text, let us pay attention to the comparisons which Jesus uses to transmit his message.
At the beginning of Advent, it is important to purify our look and to learn anew how to read the events in the light of the Word of God. And this in order not to be surprised, because God comes without telling us, when we less expect him. To show how we should be attentive to the events, Jesus goes back to the episode of the deluge in the time of Noah.
During the reading of the text, let us pay attention to the comparisons which Jesus uses to transmit his message.
b) A division of the text to help in the
reading:
Matthew 24, 37-39: The coming of the Son
of Man will arrive as in the days of Noah
Matthew 24, 40-41: Jesus applies the comparison to those who listen
Matthew 24, 42: The conclusion: “Stay awake”; be “Vigilant”.
Matthew 24, 43-44: A comparison to recommend vigilance.
Matthew 24, 40-41: Jesus applies the comparison to those who listen
Matthew 24, 42: The conclusion: “Stay awake”; be “Vigilant”.
Matthew 24, 43-44: A comparison to recommend vigilance.
c) The text:
37 'As it was in Noah's day, so will it
be when the Son of man comes. 38 For in those days before the Flood people were
eating, drinking, taking wives, taking husbands, right up to the day Noah went
into the ark, 39 and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept them
all away. This is what it will be like when the Son of man comes. 40 Then of
two men in the fields, one is taken, one left; 41 of two women grinding at the
mill, one is taken, one left.
42 'So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming. 43 You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house. 44 Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
42 'So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming. 43 You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house. 44 Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
3. A moment of prayerful silence
so that the Word of God may penetrate
and enlighten our life.
4. Some questions
to help us in our personal reflection.
i) Which part of the text struck you
most? Why?
ii) Where, when and why did Jesus pronounce this discourse?
iii) In what exactly does this vigilance consist, to which Jesus exhorts us?
iv) “One is taken, one left”. What does Jesus want to teach with this affirmation?
v) At the time of Matthew, the Christian community, in a certain sense, expected the coming of the Son of Man. And today, which is our way of waiting for the coming of Jesus?
vi) According to you, which is the centre or origin of this teaching of Jesus?
ii) Where, when and why did Jesus pronounce this discourse?
iii) In what exactly does this vigilance consist, to which Jesus exhorts us?
iv) “One is taken, one left”. What does Jesus want to teach with this affirmation?
v) At the time of Matthew, the Christian community, in a certain sense, expected the coming of the Son of Man. And today, which is our way of waiting for the coming of Jesus?
vi) According to you, which is the centre or origin of this teaching of Jesus?
5. For those who desire to go deeper
into the theme
a) Context of the discourse of Jesus:
The Gospel of Matthew -
In
the Gospel of Matthew there are five great discourses, as if it were a new
edition of the five books of the Law of Moses. The text on which we are
meditating this Sunday forms part of the fifth Discourse of this New Law, Each
one of the preceding four discourses enlightens a determinate aspect of the
Kingdom of God announced by Jesus. The first one: the justice of the Kingdom
and the conditions to enter into the Kingdom (Mt from 5 to 7). The second one:
the mission of the citizens of the Kingdom (Mt 10). The third one: the
mysterious presence of the Kingdom in the life of the people (Mt 13). The
fourth one: to live the Kingdom in community (Mt 18). The fifth Sermon speaks
of vigilance in view of the definitive coming of the Kingdom. In this last
discourse, Matthew continues the outline of Mark (cf. Mk 13, 5-37), but adds
some parables which speak about the need of vigilance and of service, of
solidarity and of fraternity.
Waiting for the coming of the Son of Man
-
At the end of the first century, the
communities lived expecting the immediate coming of Jesus (I Th 5, 1-11).
Basing themselves on some words of Paul (I Th 4, 15-18), there were some
persons who had ceased to work thinking that Jesus was about to arrive (2 Th 2,
1-2; 3, 11-12). They asked themselves: When Jesus comes, will we be taken up to
Heaven as he was? (cfr. I Th 4, 17). Will we be taken or left behind? (cfr. Mt
24, 40-41). There was an atmosphere similar to that of today, in which many ask
themselves: “Is this terrorism a sign that the end of the world is close at
hand?” What should we do in order not to be surprised?” An answer to this
question and concern comes to us from the words of Jesus which Matthew
transmits to us in the Gospel of this Sunday.
b) Comment on the text:
Matthew 24, 37-39: Jesus
compares the coming of the Son of Man to the days of the deluge
“As it was in Noah’s day, so it will be when the Son of Man comes”. Here, in order to clarify his call to vigilance, Jesus refers to two episodes of the Old Testament: Noah and the Son of Man. The “days of Noah” refer to the description of the deluge (Gen 6,5 to 8,14).
The image of the “Son of Man” comes from a vision of the prophet Daniel (Dan 7, 13). In the days of Noah the majority of persons lived without any concern, without being aware that in the events the hour of God was getting near. Life continued “and they were not aware of anything until the deluge came and drowned them all”. And Jesus concludes: “Thus it will be when the Son of Man comes”. In the vision of Daniel, the Son of Man will come on the clouds unexpectedly and his coming will decree the end of the oppressing empires, which will have no future.
“As it was in Noah’s day, so it will be when the Son of Man comes”. Here, in order to clarify his call to vigilance, Jesus refers to two episodes of the Old Testament: Noah and the Son of Man. The “days of Noah” refer to the description of the deluge (Gen 6,5 to 8,14).
The image of the “Son of Man” comes from a vision of the prophet Daniel (Dan 7, 13). In the days of Noah the majority of persons lived without any concern, without being aware that in the events the hour of God was getting near. Life continued “and they were not aware of anything until the deluge came and drowned them all”. And Jesus concludes: “Thus it will be when the Son of Man comes”. In the vision of Daniel, the Son of Man will come on the clouds unexpectedly and his coming will decree the end of the oppressing empires, which will have no future.
Matthew 24, 40-41: Jesus applies
the comparison to those who listen to him.
“Two men will be in the fields: one is taken, one left”. These phrases should not be taken literally. It is a way to indicate the diverse destiny that persons will receive according to the justice of the works they did. Some will be taken, that is, will receive salvation, and others will not receive it. This is what happened in the deluge: “You alone of your contemporaries do I see before me as an upright man” (Gen 7, 1). And Noah and his family were saved.
“Two men will be in the fields: one is taken, one left”. These phrases should not be taken literally. It is a way to indicate the diverse destiny that persons will receive according to the justice of the works they did. Some will be taken, that is, will receive salvation, and others will not receive it. This is what happened in the deluge: “You alone of your contemporaries do I see before me as an upright man” (Gen 7, 1). And Noah and his family were saved.
Matthew 24, 42: Jesus draws the
conclusion: “So stay awake”, be vigilant.
God is the one who determines the hour of the coming of the Son. But God’s time is not measured by our clock or calendar. For God one day can be equal to a thousand years, and a thousand years equal to one day (Ps 90; 2 Pt 3, 8). God’s time (kairos) is independent from our time (cronos). We cannot interfere in God’s time, but we should be prepared for the moment in which God’s hour becomes present in our time. It can be today, it can be from now in one thousand years.
God is the one who determines the hour of the coming of the Son. But God’s time is not measured by our clock or calendar. For God one day can be equal to a thousand years, and a thousand years equal to one day (Ps 90; 2 Pt 3, 8). God’s time (kairos) is independent from our time (cronos). We cannot interfere in God’s time, but we should be prepared for the moment in which God’s hour becomes present in our time. It can be today, it can be from now in one thousand years.
Matthew 24, 43-44: comparison:
the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
God comes when we less expect him. It can also happen that He comes and people are not aware of the hour of his arrival. Jesus asks for two things: an always attentive vigilance and at the same time, a peaceful dedication of the one who is in peace. This attitude is a sign of much maturity, in which are mixed the vigilant concern and the serene tranquillity. The maturity which succeeds to combine the seriousness of the moment with the awareness that everything is relative.
God comes when we less expect him. It can also happen that He comes and people are not aware of the hour of his arrival. Jesus asks for two things: an always attentive vigilance and at the same time, a peaceful dedication of the one who is in peace. This attitude is a sign of much maturity, in which are mixed the vigilant concern and the serene tranquillity. The maturity which succeeds to combine the seriousness of the moment with the awareness that everything is relative.
c) Broadening the information in order
to better understand the text:
How should we be vigilant to prepare
ourselves? - Our text is preceded by the parable of
the fig tree (Mt 24, 32-33). The fig tree was a symbol of the people of Israel
(Os 9, 10; Mt 21, 18). In asking to look at the fig tree, Jesus asks to look
and to analyze the facts that are taking place. It is as if Jesus would say to
us: “You should learn from the fig tree to read the signs of the times, and in
this way you would discover where and when God breaks into our history!”
The certainty communicated to us by
Jesus - Jesus leaves us a twofold certainty to
orientate our journey in life: (1) surely the end will come; (2) certainly,
nobody knows anything about the day or hour of the end of the world. “But as
for that day and hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels in Heaven nor the
Son, no one but the Father alone!” (Mt 24, 36). In spite of all the estimates
or calculations that men can do on the date of the end of the world, nobody can
calculate with certainty. What gives security is not the knowledge of the hour
of the end, but the Word of Jesus present in life. the world will pass but his
Word will never pass. (cfr. Is 40, 7-8).
When will the end of the world come? - When the bible speaks about the “end of the
World”, it refers not to the end of the world, but to the end of a world. It
refers to the end of this world, where injustice and the power of evil reign;
these which embitter life. This world of injustice will come to an end and in
its place there will be “a new heavens and a new earth”, announced by Isaiah
(Is 65, 15–17) and foreseen in the Apocalypse (Ap 21, 1). Nobody knows when nor
how the end of this world will be (Mt 24, 36), because nobody can imagine what
God has prepared for those who love him (I Co 2, 9). The new world of life
without death exceeds everything, just like the tree exceeds the seed (I Co 15,
35-38). The first Christians were anxious to be present in this end (2 Th 2,2).
They continued to look up at heaven, waiting for the coming of Christ (Acts 1,
11). Some no longer worked (2 Th 3, 11). But “It is not for you to know times
or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority” (Acts 1, 7). The
only way to contribute to the coming of the end “in order that the Lord may
send the time of comfort” (Acts 3, 20), and give witness of the Gospel
everywhere, to the earth’s remotest end (Acts 1, 8).
6. Prayer: Psalm 46 (45)
“God is our refuge! We shall not be
afraid!”
God is both refuge and strength for us,
a help always ready in trouble;
so we shall not be afraid though the earth be in turmoil,
though mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,
and its waters roar and seethe,
and the mountains totter as it heaves.
There is a river whose streams bring joy to God's city,
it sanctifies the dwelling of the Most High.
God is in the city, it cannot fall;
at break of day God comes to its rescue.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms are tumbling,
when he raises his voice the earth crumbles away.
Yahweh Sabaoth is with us, our citadel,
the God of Jacob.
Come, consider the wonders of Yahweh,
the astounding deeds he has done on the earth;
he puts an end to wars over the whole wide world,
he breaks the bow,
he snaps the spear,
shields he burns in the fire.
'Be still and acknowledge that I am God,
supreme over nations, supreme over the world.'
a help always ready in trouble;
so we shall not be afraid though the earth be in turmoil,
though mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,
and its waters roar and seethe,
and the mountains totter as it heaves.
There is a river whose streams bring joy to God's city,
it sanctifies the dwelling of the Most High.
God is in the city, it cannot fall;
at break of day God comes to its rescue.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms are tumbling,
when he raises his voice the earth crumbles away.
Yahweh Sabaoth is with us, our citadel,
the God of Jacob.
Come, consider the wonders of Yahweh,
the astounding deeds he has done on the earth;
he puts an end to wars over the whole wide world,
he breaks the bow,
he snaps the spear,
shields he burns in the fire.
'Be still and acknowledge that I am God,
supreme over nations, supreme over the world.'
Yahweh Sabaoth is with us, our citadel,
the God of Jacob.
7. Final Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank for the word that
has enabled us to understand better the will of the Father. May your Spirit enlighten
our actions and grant us the strength to practice that which your Word has
revealed to us. May we, like Mary, your mother, not only listen to but also
practise the Word. You who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the
Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
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