Isaiah 2:1–5; Psalm 122 “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” Romans 13:11–14: Matthew 24:37–44 “Let us then throw off the works of darkness,” Saint Paul exhorts us today. It is time to prepare for the coming of the light. We don’t want to be caught unaware when the Lord comes. Though we naturally look forward to Christmas Day, today’s readings remind us that Jesus will also come to judge us at the end of time. Unlike Christmas Day, which always falls on December 25, the end of the world will come at a time we cannot know. Therefore, let us live in the light of Christ, “the armor of light” as Paul calls it, ever prepared for his coming.
Domenica 1A Di Avvento
All’inizio del nuovo Anno Liturgico ogni cristiano aspetti il Signore con viva e consapevole partecipazione. Dobbiamo vivere l’Avvento nel segno della pace, dell’impegno cristiano, della vigilanza, della solerzia e creatività. Comportamenti che renderanno possibile le nostra salvezza.
將臨期第一主日
將臨期的中心思想是期待上主來臨。舊約時代,人們渴望默西亞降臨,因為先知們預言過救主將要來臨這件大事。從今天開始,教會要我們以四個星期作準備,使我們心中再度燃起渴望救主來臨之情,同時感謝天主賜予救贖的大恩;因為我們的渴望不再是像舊約時代的那樣,是個還未實現的事實。現在天主聖子已經降生成人,為我們受苦受死,復活升天,救贖世人已成了事實。我們今天的期待的是救世主來到我們心中。而祂也實實在在會來到我們心中,和我們結合,那是在彌撒、在聖體內,或者在我們的祈禱中。
在現實生活中,如果我們在歡迎一位好友或一位貴賓到家中小住,我們會打掃乾淨,並且作出種種準備,務求使他覺得賓至如歸。為了準備天地的主宰,救世的君王耶穌的來臨,我們更應該澈底打掃靈魂,好好準備,務求最適合地迎接我們的大主。因為我們不知道什麼時候祂會到來,所以我們要時刻醒寤。這不僅是指世界窮盡或指一個人生命結束的時候,同時也指每天每時,耶穌可能來到我們心中,作短暫的訪問,要告訴我們一個訊息,但我們卻因為心靈沒有好好準備而錯過了。