PUT ON CHRIST

I SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Matthew 24:37-44

We begin Advent looking forward to the Day of the Son of Man, which is seen by many as a day of doom and by those who believe as a day of salvation. One thing is made clear by Jesus: “The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect”. And many people will be caught by surprise and may be found wanting. Jesus compared that situation to what happened during the days of Noah when the flood came and all were swept away, because “they suspected nothing”! This unawareness prevented them from taking measures to reduce the impact of the disaster. The signs of an impending crisis were there, but people were preoccupied with enjoying life, going their own way and doing everything possible to find pleasure, so they could not read the signs. This applies to our own generation. We enjoy life, but we are never satisfied and our urges continue to press us to look for greater satisfaction, without paying attention to the signs of danger that are emerging. We too are in danger of being caught off guard. And Jesus warns us: "So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming”. 

Advent requires an attitude of vigilance and an effort of preparation. "Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Undoubtedly, the best way to prepare ourselves is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Through baptism, we were grafted into Christ to be one with him.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul calls out to all of us: "The time has come!" It is time to wake up, beach salvation is near, and so "let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime.” This implies a change in attitudes and habits. And Paul is brave enough to expose the most common behaviours among the Romans: no more “in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarrelling and jealousy.” (Ro 13:11-14).

And Paul presents the only way to conversion, the only way to be prepared for the Coming of the Lord: “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ”, so that in everything we may become like him.