“STAY AWAKE…BE PREPARED!”
Homily for Dec. 2, 2007 - First Sunday of Advent
By Fr. Romy Seleccion, MS
Matthew 24:37-44
Today, we enter into the SEASON of ADVENT!
It is a season when the Son of Man tickles our hearts
and reminds us: “STAY AWAKE…BE PREPARED!”
These are reminders that will stimulate our hearts
and hasten us to have a quality time with God.
In this sacred time with God, our scriptures today
scribble in our hearts the spiritual journey
we have to traverse in this season of ADVENT.
The first reading guides us with these words:
“Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain…
that he may instruct us in his ways…
nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.”
Those words “wake us from sleep” and invite us to examine ourselves
if we are still the holy people God has chosen us to be his peacemakers
in our troubled world today.
As we immersed ourselves in the world of violence where leaders
talk about war, Jesus reminds us to BE AWAKE
and become modern prophets who will work for peace, and ready
to offer hope in a world that is torn by violence and greed.
St. Paul, in the second reading, reminds us:
“Brothers and sisters… put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly… 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.”
Those gentle words challenges us to refashion our world
not by human hands but by human hearts.
Those gentle words guide us to take the way of love
that moves us closer to the heart of God.
As we are seduced by the spirit of consumerism,
Jesus reminds us to BE PREPARED at all times.
So, we should resist the temptation of being consumed
by the power of materialism, instead, practice the value
of being “poor in spirit,” being energized by the love of Jesus.
Therefore, during the SEASON of ADVENT,
let the announcement of the coming of Jesus
be an occasion for us to plan our itinerary
in meeting him face to face and heart to heart.
And let this sacred encounter encourages us
to committing ourselves in doing the following:
“where there is hatred, let us bring love,
where there is injury, let us bring pardon;
where there is doubt, let us bring faith,
where there is despair, let us bring hope,
and where there is darkness, let us bring light…”
Beloved friends,
let us make this SEASON of ADVENT
a luxurious time in loving each other;
a grand time for caring and understanding;
a well-appointed moment of reconciliation,
and an awe-inspiring time for peace!
Let us begin this preparation in our hearts.
That our hearts become the birthplace and home of Jesus.
God bless you all!
By Fr. Romy Seleccion, MS
ParishWorld Sunday Homily Editor
