Today we begin the season of Advent, a time to prepare for the coming of Jesus.  Most of us think of Advent as the time to prepare ourselves to celebrate Christmas, Jesus’ first coming. However, the first part of the season is a time to think about our preparation for Jesus’ second coming, which for each of us will occur either at the end of time or upon our death.
In the first reading, Isaiah describes what the new order will be like: no war, no famine, everyone living in harmony with God.  However, he also mentions that there will be judgement and God will impose terms on those people who have not prepared for His coming.  In the second reading, St. Paul tells the people of Rome that “salvation is nearer than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand.”  That statement is true for all of us…every day brings us closer to either the end of time or our own death.  In the Gospel, Jesus also tells us that we “must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”  It’s likely that we will all die before the end of time, but none of us know the date and time of our death.  That can be a scary thought, but it doesn’t need to be.
Jesus is coming, and we need to be ready.  Are you ready?  Are you working to prepare His way by advocating for peace and justice?  Are you bringing His light to people living in darkness?  Advent is the season the Church gives us to reflect on these important questions.