FIRST IMPRESSIONS

1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT C November 29, 2015

Jeremiah 33: 14-16; Psalm 25; I Thess. 3: 12-4:2; Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36

by Jude Siciliano, OP

Dear Preachers:


PART ONE: AN END OF THE YEAR APPEAL

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Advent is a mixed up time. Are we waiting for Christ, or counting the shopping days till Christmas? Since the day after Halloween the "Christmas season" has begun in the world around us. A trip to the mall, or watching television ads since early November, would confirm that. Things are only going to get more frenetic for us – "out there."

But in Advent, here in church, we listen to promises God has made to us. We hear that: wrongs will be righted, exiles will return home, the hungry will be fed and, in addition to all that, Christ is returning. What are we to do in the meanwhile? The Advent message is to wait and be prepared for the coming of God’s reign. Waiting sounds so passive, especially to us hyperactive Americans. In today’s gospel Jesus gives us something to do. He warns us that his coming will be preceded by distressing signs, so we should pray, lest we give in to discouragement and distress. But that’s not all we can do. Our prayer should energize and direct us to participate in Christ’s plan to restore the world to rightness. Vigilant prayer will provide a listening post to help awaken us to the part each of us has in God’s plan to heal the world.

The readings early in Advent point to the overturning and the renewal of the whole world. Listening to the Scriptures will prepare us to pray with the church our Advent prayer, "Come, Lord Jesus." Today’s readings bring a promise from our God, summed up in Jeremiah’s message. God will bring renewal to God’s people; not just an interior change, but by a transformation of the world. The people’s dire straits cannot prevent God from acting decisively on their behalf. They had been unfaithful and were taken into slavery. But God will come to help them, not because they are good, or deserving of help, but because God sees their need. God made a promise which cannot be thwarted.

When they return to their land the people have to hold onto the word God spoke to them because later they will face new challenges and trials. The Romans will destroy their temple again and the people will again be slaves. They will have to trust the promise they once heard through Jeremiah when they were exiles. The city might be destroyed, but God will stand with them whatever happens. God’s word will not fail them in their darkness and misery. Jeremiah reminds them and us, "The Lord is our justice." That is who God is and how God shall be.

The response to the Jeremiah reading is from Psalm 25. When the world, as we know it, is overturned the people will need to pray for guidance. The psalmist provides us with an Advent prayer, especially the verse, "Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths." It’s similar to what we hear in Luke today, "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."

If I were to pick one word, or "theme," from today’s readings I would choose "promise." In Jeremiah God has promised to bring righteousness and justice to the land through a "just shoot." Paul says that God will confirm the Thessalonian community in their good works. In the gospel there’s a promise of a new world to come.

The liturgical year came to an end with last week’s feast of Christ the King. We heard that God will triumph over all that is contrary to God’s ways. Today we are encouraged to await that future in prayer and hope. We have already been claimed by our God and now we pray and stay ready for when Christ comes to make things right. Advent is about what God is doing beyond human capabilities. God is coming. When? We don’t know. But however uncertain the precise day and hour, God is surely coming.

Haven’t we boarded a plane, stowed our luggage, fastened our seatbelts, as the flight attendants told us and anticipated an on-time take off? Only to be told there is a "slight mechanical problem" that will delay us 10 minutes; which turns into 30 minutes; then an hour. We become impatient along with the rest of the passengers. When we boarded they promised us and on-time departure? Now we are waiting and waiting, hoping we will make our connection; hoping the person who will pick us up will not give up on us, or worry that something has happened.

Being left at an airport is inconvenient, but not a big deal, especially compared to what the Jewish exiles in Babylon went through – and today’s exiles, refugees, persecuted and distressed experience. Where was God? What was taking God so long to come to their aid? The questions could easily be ours, we modern exiles. When God doesn’t help when we ask and we have to wait longer than seems reasonable, we tend to wonder if God’s reputation for faithfulness has not been exaggerated or misplaced.

We are not talking about praying to win the lottery. It’s when we, or someone we love, is suffering and the pain tries our patience, and we feel like we are about to go into a downward spiral of doubt. We pray and nothing changes. Hope grows thin; hearts go heavy. The waiting and frustration tempt us to say something like: God doesn’t care; I’m not worthy; I’m not praying in the right way. We might also conclude that God doesn’t keep promises.

As frightening as the cosmic upheavals Jesus predicts will be for his followers it will not be an occasion for terror. "But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand." The day Christ returns amid all these apocalyptic signs, will be a day of grace for the faithful. Still, the collapse of worldly power and the upheaval of the "powers of the heavens" will cause distress and so prayer is essential to help believers keep watch. We need not lose hope in God and our prayer will strengthen us in times of distress.

With all the richness of the Advent season and the scriptural readings, I ask myself, what would I preach this Sunday? I might focus on God’s faithfulness and promises to those in exile. I would try to help people identify their own experience of exile: Sin? Alienation? Depression? Failure? Sickness? Loss of a loved one? Etc. I would try to encourage trust in what God has promised through the prophet: God will come out to their place of exile, be with them and lead them home.

The gospel speaks of times that can shatter even our most stable and secure lives. I would try to name some of those experiences and point to Jesus’ encouragement to pray "to escape the tribulations." Prayer can give us strength in hard times when our world caves in on us.

Another preaching approach to the gospel: It’s hard to maintain our faith over the long haul in such a contrary world, especially during this distracting Christmas season. Jesus offers us help to keep focus on what will truly last and enable us to, "Stand before the Son of Man."

Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112915.cfm

QUOTABLE

A FRANCISCAN BENEDICTION

May God bless you with DISCOMFORT ...
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with ANGER ...
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with TEARS ...
To shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war.
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them
And to turn their pain into JOY.

And may God bless you with enough FOOLISHNESS...
To believe that you can make a difference in this world,
So that you can DO what others claim cannot be done. Amen

----National Council of Churches

JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARD

The Lord guides the humble to justice and teaches the humble the way.
Psalm 25: 9

For our parish, this weekend is the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). This is the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ "... to bring good news to the poor ... release to captives ... sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free." (Luke 4:18). We also have Pope Francis’ words to help guide us: "In today’s world, voices are being raised which we cannot ignore and which implore our Churches to live deeply our identity as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. The first of these voices is that of the poor. . .We cannot remain indifferent before the cries of our brothers and sisters. These ask of us not only material assistance – needed in so many circumstances – but above all, our help to defend their dignity as human persons, so that they can find the spiritual energy to become once again protagonists in their own lives. They ask us to fight, in the light of the Gospel, the structural causes of poverty: inequality, the shortage of dignified work and housing, and the denial of their rights as members of society and as workers. As Christians we are called together to eliminate that globalization of indifference which today seems to reign supreme, while building a new civilization of love and solidarity" (11/30/14). http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2014/documents/papa-francesco_20141130_divina-liturgia-turchia.html

CCHD is an essential part of the Church in the United States' social mission, and a unique part of the Catholic community's broad commitment to assist low-income people, families and communities. The belief that those who are directly affected by unjust systems and structures have the best insight into knowing how to change them is central to CCHD. The Campaign works to break the cycle of poverty by helping low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families and communities by offering a hand up, not a hand out. CCHD has a complementary mission of educating on poverty and its causes. This strategy of education for justice and helping people who are poor speak and act for themselves reflects the mandate of the Scriptures and the principles of Catholic social teaching. CCHD is made possible by the generous support of Catholics in the United States, especially through the annual parish collection. http://www.usccb.org/about/catholic-campaign-for-human-development/who-we-are.cfm

What a wonderful way to begin our Advent journey!

----Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS

Coordinator of Social Justice Ministries

Sacred Heart Cathedral -- Raleigh, N.C.

FAITH BOOK

1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT C November 29, 2015

Jeremiah 33: 14-16; Psalm 25; I Thess. 3: 12-4:2; Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36

 

Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. "Faith Book" is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.

From today’s Gospel reading:

Jesus said to his disciples:

"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."

Reflection:

The liturgical year came to an end with last week’s feast of Christ the King. We heard that God will triumph over all that is contrary to God’s ways. Today we are encouraged to await that future in prayer and hope. We have already been claimed by our God and now we pray and stay ready for when Christ comes to make things right.

So we ask ourselves:

POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES

"The use of the death penalty cannot really be mended. It should be ended."
Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick

Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I post in this space several inmates’ names and addresses. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know we have not forgotten them. If you like, tell them you heard about them through North Carolina’s, "People of Faith Against the Death Penalty." If the inmate responds you might consider becoming pen pals.

Please write to:

----Central Prison 4285 Mail Service Center, Raleigh 27699-4285

For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the webpage of the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://www.catholicsmobilizing.org/

DONATIONS

"First Impressions" is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you would like "First Impressions" sent weekly to a friend, send a note to fr. John Boll, OP at jboll@opsouth.org.

If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P.

St. Albert Priory 3150 Vince Hagan Drive Irving, Texas 75062-4736

Make checks payable to: Dominican Friars. Or, go to our webpage to make an online donation: http://preacherexchange.com/donations.htm

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. We have compiled Four CDS for sale:

If you are a preacher, lead a Lectionary-based scripture group, or are a member of a liturgical team, these CDs will be helpful in your preparation process. Individual worshipers report they also use these reflections as they prepare for Sunday liturgy.

You can order the CDs by going to our webpage: www.preacherexchange.com and clicking on the "First Impressions" CD link on the left.

(These CDs have been updated twice in the last five years.)

2. "Homilías Dominicales" —These Spanish reflections on the Sunday and daily scriptures are written by Dominican sisters and friars. If you or a friend would like to receive these reflections drop a note to fr. John Boll, O.P. at Jboll@opsouth.org.

3. Our webpage: http://www.preacherexchange.com

Where you will find "Preachers’ Exchange," which includes "First Impressions" and "Homilías Dominicales," as well as articles, book reviews, daily homilies and other material pertinent to preaching.

4. "First Impressions" is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you would like "First Impressions" sent weekly to a friend, send a note to fr. John Boll, OP at the above email address.