Homily: Decmber 1, 2024, First sunday in Advent (BAG)

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Today we begin a new liturgical year. I vividly remember preaching the First Sunday of Advent last year, feels like it was just yesterday. Time really flies, and here we are now, welcoming a new year again.

How has your life changed since last Advent?

This year is Year C. The Gospel readings this year will be taken from the Gospel of Luke. Luke was a physician by profession, a painter by hobby, and a Gospel writer by mission. He wrote his Gospel for everyone, including the Gentiles, with special attention to the poor, the marginalized, and the outcasts of society.

In Luke chapter 1:3, he introduced the background of his writing, “after investigating everything accurately anew”, thus we can see that Luke’s Gospel is considered the most informative of the four. Luke weaved the Good News of Jesus with love and compassion for the oppressed and lost, but with stern warning for the self-righteous and arrogant.

The parables of the Prodigal Son, the Good Samaritan, the Lost Coin, the Rich Man and Lazarus, the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, are found only in Luke’s Gospel. His Gospel is truly a Gospel of light and hope for poor sinners.

Today’s Gospel text however, is a warning about end times. It tells about the destruction of powers, when the world will be covered in darkness, and there will be only one light - Jesus Christ coming in His full glory.

Luke warns “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy” and “Be vigilant at all times” to remind all of us to be ready for that time when our Lord comes.

Every liturgical year begins with this same reminder to keep our eyes on the second coming of Jesus Christ as King and Judge, while we prepare to celebrate His first coming, His birth as a helpless baby.

Through the weeks and months in the year, the preparations continue as we journey with Jesus from His birth to death, from His resurrection to Parousia. Through the years of our lifetime, we also prepare to meet the Lord coming to us at our own death.

So, how do we make sure we are ready to meet the Lord? Like how we would get ready for a trip, we bring along what we need for the journey, we pack a bag. I want to share with you the essentials of this B-A-G.

1. B - Believe! Believe in Jesus, believe His words, believe His teachings, believe His promises. Everything He has told us will be fulfilled, just as He fulfilled all the prophecies before Him.

2. A - Action! Put your faith into action, because faith without action is as good as having no faith. In today’s second reading, St. Paul exhorts us, “you should conduct yourselves to please God...” So do not live as you please, but live as you believe. Do what Jesus teaches you.

3. G - Grow! We die when we stop growing, so grow in knowledge, grow in understanding, grow in wisdom, grow in all the virtues of a good disciple, grow in love, grow to become more and more like Jesus. Nourish yourself with the sacraments, take daily supplements from the Word of God, exercise as often as you can with prayers, and keep growing in the right direction.

Carry this BAG with you through Advent, through the year, and throughout your life. I am sure you will be transformed and will be ready when the Lord comes.

The Holy Father has announced that 2025 will be a Jubilee Year, themed “Pilgrims of Hope”. It will open from December 24, 2024 and close on December 23, 2025.

Let us step into this new year as pilgrims on a wonderful journey, full of hope that when we arrive at our destination, we will be full of joy.

Don’t forget your BAG.

Blessed beautiful Advent!

Amen.


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