(Note: These lections are for the First Sunday of Advent
in the traditional Roman lectionary
(CCC refers to the Catechism of the Catholic Church)
Epistle: Romans 13. 11-14; Gospel: Luke 21, 25-33
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Though already present in his Church, Christ's reign is nevertheless
yet to be fulfilled "with power and great glory" by the king's return to
earth. (Lk 21:27; cf. Mt 25:31) This reign is still under attack by the
evil powers, even though they have been defeated definitively by Christ's
Passover. (Cf. 2 Thess 2:7) Until everything is subject to him, "until
there be realized new heavens and a new earth in which justice dwells,
the pilgrim Church, in her sacraments and institutions, which belong to
this present age, carries the mark of this world which will pass, and she
herself takes her place among the creatures which groan and travail yet
and await the revelation of the sons of God." (Second Vatican Council,
Lumen gentium 48. 3; cf. 2 Pet 3. 13; Rom 8. 19-22; 1 Cor 15. 28.) That
is why Christians pray, above all in the Eucharist, to hasten Christ's
return by saying to him: (Cf. 1 Cor 11. 26; 2 Pet 3. 11-12.) Marana tha!
"Our Lord, come!" (1 Cor 16. 22; Rev 22. 17, 20) (CCC 671)
I look forward to meeting you here again next week as, together, we
"meet Christ in the liturgy",
-Father Cusick
Used with the permission of Fr. Cusick from his website.
