Lectionary # 3 First Sunday of Advent, Cycle C, Year 2.

Scripture: Lectionary # 3. First Sunday of Advent, Cycle C. Year 2.
November 29,2009.
Jeremiah 33:14-16. Psalm 25:4-5.8-9.10.14. I Thessalonians
3:12-4:2. Luke 21:25-28.34-36.

"Come, Lord Jesus." In the language of Jesus this word may serve us through
Advent. In Aramaic it is Maranatha and it is easily used as a mantra or
reminder prayer of the Coming of the Lord. "It is a leap into the kind of
freedom and surrender that is rightly called the virtue of hope." (Fr.
Richard Rohr, O.F.M.). This theological or God-oriented virtue and the word
"Maranatha" is at the heart of Advent. Today, on this first Sunday of
Advent we hear of the Second Coming of Jesus (the "Parousia") or his last
glorious coming as Lord and judge of the universe. The virtue of hope helps
us to keep this coming in mind and to be at peace with it no matter how
awesome it will be.

Jeremiah is our prophet of hope in the first reading. His announcement is
filled with hope and confidence in God who fulfills promises and keeps the
faithful covenant of loving-kindness alive in the hearts of all who believe
in God and God's word. God is justice. Jeremiah ends his short message for
today with the statement, "The Lord is justice."

In the Psalm and its response the theme and cords of hope are sung in this
verse, "Your ways make known to me; teach me your paths. Guide me in your
truth and teach me for you are Godmy savior and for you I wait all day."
This brings out the message of hope with salvation. This is also the main
theme of the encyclical of Pope Benedict who wrote this just before the
beginning of Advent in 2007. He named the writing "Saved in Hope" ( Spe
salvi facti sumus).

Luke's Gospel message is to be lived out with such hope by being concerned
with inspiring each other to love and to do good works. We do this as we
wait in blessed hope for the glorious coming of our mighty God and Savior
Jesus Christ. Amen