November 27, First Sunday of Advent
Sunday Readings: 1st Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16; 2nd reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2, Gospel: Matthew 24: 37-44
The Gospel tells the story of what happened in the time of Noah. Jesus says, "No one knows the exact day or hour, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only God knows the time." Jesus then warns the people: "The coming of the Son of Man will repeat what happened during Noah’s time." Until Noah entered the ark in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and being married. "They were unconcerned until the flood came and destroyed them."
Jesus then warns, "So it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." He then gives examples of what will happen at that time: "Two men will be in a field; one will be taken, and the other will be left." "Two women will be grinding their meal; one will be taken, and the other will be left behind." Jesus then pauses and says to His listeners, "Stay awake!" "You do not know the day your Lord is coming." Jesus adds: "Be sure of this: If the owner of a house knew when a thief was coming, he would be watchful and prepared." " You also must be prepared. "The Son of Man is coming when you least expect it."
No one knows when "our time" will come. That time can be a blessing or something completely unexpected! It, therefore, reminds us of our responsibility: what happens to us after we die is determined by how we lead our lives every day. In many ways, we are the ones who decide what our "afterlife" will be.
If we live a good life, loving God, Jesus, and the Spirit, and if we strive to be loving and kind every day and share our time, gifts, and talents with others, when we die, we likely will experience the fullness of life that Jesus promises.
We cannot wait until the last minute. What is the pattern of your life? Do you share your gifts and love with your family, the people you work with, your neighbors, or even people you do not know? Do you make any effort to be of use to other people in need? Indeed, the best preparation is to live every moment as if it were the last.
How do you prepare to live life to the fullest?
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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