Advent Sunday 1

Advent Sunday 1Luke 21:25-28.34-36Over the years I have become used to the fact that our first Sunday of Advent opens not with words of comfort, but with an apocalyptic vision. These words have a poignancy in 2021 when we look back and think of the things that have ravaged our world. So many things have required our urgent attention in prayer and in action.

The hearers of Luke’s Gospel lived too with a sense of urgency. They believed that the Second Coming of Jesus would take place in their life time. It’s fairly hard to think ourselves into this place today. Aside from slightly extreme groups, we don’t usually live on this level of alert in our spiritual lives. Luke paints a rather frightening picture.

‘There will be signs in the sun and the moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.’

However, what always strikes me is that the advice is not to run and take cover, but to stand still and tall. ‘…stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.’ Standing still and holding your head high will ground you and potentially prepare you for what is ahead. On a physical level we know the effect of standing straight and having every thing in alignment. We feel better all round. So too in our journey of faith. We stand tall because we are baptized and beloved children of the Father.

How can you stand tall and hold your head high this Advent?