Written by Fr. Rob Walsh, Catholic Student Chaplain
Advent means “coming.” And the focus of the second half of Advent is the coming of Jesus himself – the incarnation. He who is God becomes Man so that we who are men can become like God… but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
In the first half of Advent, the Church’s focus is the Second Coming. It may sound ominous, frightful – like be on guard. Which is what today’s Gospel says very specifically. And yet this is not just a theme that we should keep in mind for beginning of December, but rather it’s something we pray for every Sunday, every day: “We await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ…” The priest says this at the celebration of each Mass – and it is our hope!
When I was young I’d sit sometimes at the front door in a chair, waiting for my mom to return home. I’d see a car coming down the street and hope, really and truly hope, that it was my mom. I couldn’t wait for her car to come up the driveway! Why? Because as a child, my heart simply wanted her home with me. This is the very spirit Jesus desires for us to have this Advent. That we watch, we wait, hoping that soon, He will return.
Consider this image as we begin Advent. What do you joyfully watch for? What is your heart’s deepest desire? If not Jesus, let’s pray for our hearts to change… as we prepare to watch for His coming!
Catholic Terps | author