The Coming of the Son of Man

Today's Reflections

The Coming of the Son of Man 

 

Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

[Jesus said to his disciples,] ²⁵“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. ²⁶People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

³⁴“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 ³⁵like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. ³⁶Be 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.”

Reflection:

Your redemption is at hand. Today marks the beginning of Advent and a new year for the Church. Advent means “coming.” It is Jesus who comes, not to bring despair and destruction, doom and gloom, but to dispel the fear and frustration in our hearts.

The images used in the Gospel are scenes from an eschatological drama where good will eventually triumph over evil. They warn us against being complacent or hardhearted. Are we preoccupied with too much eating, drinking, and partying? Are our waking hours spent on cable TV, computer games, the internet, Facebook, or Twitter? Are we obsessed with making money? Do we give a thought at all to Jesus and to our spiritual life?

Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts. Advent challenges us to welcome him in the persons of other people—family members, fellow employees, neighbors, and friends—and to acknowledge his presence in our work, in our dealings with people, even in our household chores. We are reminded to pay attention to Jesus, to get busy with him, in him and for him.

Let not today’s news about natural calamities and disasters lead us to believe those self-appointed prophets who proclaim an avenging God. Let us not be deceived. We need not be afraid. Why? Jesus will indeed come to liberate us from sin and selfishness. His coming brings a message of love and ushers a new way of life.

Advent delivers hope. It makes us confident and joyful, so we can move forward to meet God.

Let us identify the excess baggage

and material attachments in our lives.

How do we get rid of them? How do we prepare

to celebrate the coming of Jesus this Christmas?