Gospel:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Gospel Trivia:
The language in the gospel passage is what we call apocalyptic -- the expressions conform with the language of the prophets when they announce important events that are about to happen. These are referred to as apocalyptic metaphors, and not meant to be taken literally or as actual predictions.
Such expressions usually include a reference to the universe becoming "unhinged" by mentioning a cataclysmic events in the three great spaces in biblical times: the sea, the earth and sea.
The passage suggests an "end" of the world as we know it, which presages a radical transformation with the coming of Jesus.
divine become human - Jesus of Nazareth.
It is a fitting gospel in the first Sunday of advent because we are about to welcome the divine who has chosen to become human, just like one of us. The line between the two realities has been blurred -- Jesus, our God, Lord and Savior, is from an earthly place called Nazareth. This is how close God wants to be with us. Emmanuel -- God with us.
Reference:
- Nil Guillemette, SJ, A Kingdom for All (Manila: St. Paul Publications, 1988), pp. 383-385.
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