SOMEONE ELSE IS COMING TO TOWN

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December 3, 2017
1st Sunday of Advent

First reading (Isaiah 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7)
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19)
Second reading (1 Corinthians 1:3-9)
Gospel (Mark 13:33-37)

"You better watch out. You better not cry... Gonna find out who's naughty and nice..." Familiar? Did you sing as you read this? We all know to whom this song is referring to. But do you know that Someone else is coming to town? If not, then our mass readings for this First Sunday of Advent reminds us of who is to come, and how are we to behave.

You better watch out. In our first reading (from the book of the prophet Isaiah), Isaiah reminds us of the situation of Israel, the people of God, by calling out to God. The people of God had become unclean. Their good deeds "are like polluted rags." No one calls out to God anymore. Let us examine ourselves and watch out. Have we become unclean, numb of our sinfulness? Are we running away from God by the way we speak, act and live? Watch out. We may have already been numbed to sin. And just as we watch out, let us call to God like Isaiah -call to God and return to Him.

You better not cry. In our second reading (from the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians) Paul congratulates and assures the people of Corinth that God will be with them until the end, keeping them "firm to the end." This is not the time to be teary-eyed. The Lord will be with us as we wait for his coming. Let us trust in His guidance and grace.

Gonna find out who's naughty and nice. This time of peace and time of salvation is when the Lord comes. In our gospel reading (according to St. Matthew), Jesus warned His disciples to be awake for the coming of the Lord at an unknown hour. Being awake means being aware of our actions and being aware of who is coming, because the one who is to come is our Lord, to see if we have been good or bad, if we have prepared to receive Him, the Prince of Peace, if we have freed ourselves of our negativities towards others.

"You better watch out. You better not cry... Gonna find out who's naughty and nice..." The next time you hear this song, remember to watch out for our numbness to sin, to trust in God's grace and guidance and to be aware of how we behave and of who is coming, because Someone else is coming to town. Jesus is coming.

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