Prime Sunday of Advent / A 28/11/2010
Matthew 24, 37-44 (p. 6)
the beginning of this new church year we hear the Lord Jesus tell us about his coming to the end of time. For the Jews of the time of Christ on the return of the Messiah and the end of the world was a key issue. The eschatological expectation was so strong and even early Christians believed that Christ's return in glory was close ... In other passages in the Gospel the Lord uses language borrowed from the apocalyptic style, here it is not.
the center of this page Gospel we hear an urgent request: "Watch therefore". And why we must remain vigilant we are immediately given: "Because you do not know what day your Lord will come." For Christians we are sure it is so be ready to welcome the Lord who comes, the Lord will come. This is the first spiritual meaning of Advent. Nobody knows the date of that future, but we all know with certainty that our earthly life will end when we die. And we know neither the date of our death than the coming of the Lord. Even if we can die in many ways ... After a long illness or suddenly and accidentally example. Around this central teaching of Jesus, "Watch," we have two illustrations. The first is borrowed from past history: Remember what happened to the time of the flood. The second is a little parable. In the first illustration the Lord compares our situation to that of our ancestors before the flood. And he describes the normal activities of the men without saying that they were sinners. Jesus therefore adapts the story of Noah in the Old Testament as what motivates the flood it is the wickedness of men. It emphasizes the surprise of this event. And he shows us as a lottery hello: one is taken, the other left, one is taken, the other left. Without telling us what criteria are some saved and others are excluded from the salvation of God. And we could really be scared at what seems to be a draw, a little random ... The leading edge of this teaching, we have seen, is not moral type. But the fact that some are caught in the Kingdom of God and others are left out of this kingdom is simply the difference between those who watch and those who have fallen asleep. As in the parable of the wise virgins and foolish virgins. Jesus and wants to convince us of the need we prepare ourselves to meet him. This is already true in this life but it's even more true for our preparation for the big move, this time marking the end of our lives. This spiritual vigilance must not be marked by fear, but rather by an even greater confidence in the power of God's love towards us. The first reading as the psalm tells us that God's kingdom is a kingdom of peace. And in the peace of the Holy Spirit that we must prepare to enter the heavenly Jerusalem. The best preparation for the encounter with the Lord and His coming is in the performance cheerful and brave our duty to state each day according to our vocation and our age. I do not know what this young saint had wonderful response to an adult who asked: "What would you do if you were to die in the moment to come?" He replied: "I will continue to play with my friends." This is to be ready.
As for the little parable of the thief it also highlights the element of surprise. God is not a thief of course. And its intention is not to set a trap by leaving us in ignorance of the day we die and when the end of our world. God is not a sadistic master who would benefit from the surprise to be better able to punish us. The fact that God leaves us in ignorance of the day and time is rather a source of extraordinary freedom. It would be terrible if we knew in advance the moment of our death or the end of the world as claimed by the Jehovah's Witnesses (they announced it several times ...). Sure, it's use our freedom in this world for the battle light. Yes, the Christian life is a spiritual struggle, not against the alleged enemies but against what, in ourselves, prevents us from recognizing the true face of God and meet him in faith, hope and charity. Ensure is searching tirelessly true peace, a sign of the Kingdom of God, and radiate the goodness of God through our actions and our choices each day. This program is possible only by the grace of God and prayer life ever more authentic. Only this experience of personal prayer is able to move us human ideas about God in the inner knowledge of God who is love, communion of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
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