First Sunday of Advent
Lk 21:25-28, 34-36
Finding Hope in the Midst of Chaos: A Reflection on the Coming of the Savior
Grace Prayed For
Vigilance: Pray for the grace to remain spiritually alert and attentive. Ask God to help you resist the drowsiness that comes from worldly distractions and anxieties, and to keep your heart focused on Him amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the world.
Scripture Passage
Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
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 words of Jesus in this passage are a powerful call to awareness, vigilance, and ultimately, to intimacy with our Trinitarian God. He paints a vivid picture of the end times, a time of cosmic upheaval and global distress. The sun, moon, and stars will bear witness, nations will tremble, and fear will grip the hearts of many.
But amidst this chaos, Jesus offers a message of hope and redemption to His disciples – to us. He urges us to “stand erect and raise your heads,” for our redemption is drawing near. This is not a call to fear, but to joyful anticipation. It is an invitation to lift our gaze from the tumultuous world and fix it upon the One who comes to deliver us.
Yet, this hope is intertwined with a warning. Jesus cautions against becoming consumed by the “anxieties of daily life,” the distractions that can lull our souls into a spiritual slumber. He calls us to “be vigilant at all times,” to remain alert and attentive to His presence in our lives.
This vigilance is not merely about staying awake; it is about cultivating a deep and abiding relationship with our Trinitarian God. It is about staying connected to the source of our strength, our hope, and our redemption. It is about living in constant communion with the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the midst of life’s storms, we are called to turn our hearts and minds towards God. To seek His face in prayer, to listen for His voice in the Scriptures, and to discern His presence in the world around us. This is how we “stand before the Son of Man” – not in fear and trembling, but in loving and trusting surrender.
As we reflect on these words of Jesus, let us ask ourselves:
- Where is my focus? Am I consumed by the anxieties of this world, or am I fixed on the hope of redemption?
- How am I cultivating my relationship with God? Am I actively seeking Him in prayer and Scripture, or have I allowed my heart to become drowsy?
- Am I ready to stand before the Son of Man? Am I living a life that reflects my faith and trust in Him?
May this reflection draw us closer to the heart of our Trinitarian God, filling us with hope, peace, and joyful anticipation for the coming of our Savior.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Embracing His Promises: Amidst the chaos, Jesus offers a message of hope and redemption. He assures us that our “redemption is at hand.” This promise invites us to place our complete faith in Him, knowing that He will ultimately deliver us from all suffering and bring us into His eternal kingdom. This trust fosters a deeper sense of security and intimacy with Him.
Daily Scripture Reflection
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post