November 17, 2024

During the Middle Ages and for several centuries thereafter, this Sunday was considered the First Sunday of Advent. Popularly called St. Martin's Lent, the season began on November 11, the feast of St. Martin and lasted until Christmas Eve which was a day of fast and abstinence. Thus, Adent was 40 days long and was chiefly a penitential season that paralleled Lent. As time progressed, however, Advent was shortened until it took its present form that is familiar to us at present - 4 weeks. 

In the Church's present liturgy, there are vestiges of this mindset, even though we are still in Ordinary Time. These vestiges are seen chiefly in the Scripture for the Masses of this Sunday. The theme of these readings is what is called apocalyptic. This means that they tell us what will happen on the day of the Lord's coming. These readings generally appear in prophecy, parable, and Jesus' words. 

This particular Sunday, we hear from the prophet Daniel and the Gospel of St. Mark. Both messages shake us out of our slumber of "business as usual" to warn us that the end of the world as we know it is nearer than we think. While Daniel sees this as a day of God's wrath where the good are rewarded and the wicked punished, Jesus alerts us to the cosmic nature of this day where even the heavens are not exempt from Christ's Second Coming. The strangest thing about this is: while Christ says he is coming soon, even he does not know the exact day this will happen. There are signs provided that give us a hint, we must heed them. 

As we prepare for "the holidays," we aim to accomplish much so that they are as memorable and perfect as we can make them. As Christians, our greatest holiday is when we meet Jesus. How can we prepare spiritually for this holiday? Pay attention to the signs of Jesus' presence around you. They are everywhere if you just look a little better, particularly in those around you. Take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, especially if you suffer from an addiction. Jesus wants to come and help. And lastly, forgive old grudges because these cloud the light of Jesus' presence in our lives.