WONDERING GURU
Isaiah
63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7; Psalm 80; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37
(Feast
of St. Francis Xavier)
First Sunday of Advent, 3rd December 2023
Introduction: On the first Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of Hope. Some call it candle of prophecy to remember the prophets, those brave men of old who foretold of the coming of a King. Thousands of years before the birth of Christ, God sent prophets as messengers to let the world know that a new King was coming. It reminds us of the hope we have in the return of Christ. The Prophet Isaiah wrote: “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Today we remember the prophets as they faithfully proclaimed the coming of a Saviour. May we be faithful to proclaim that a Saviour has come and His name is Jesus Christ.
False Prophets
in Modern Times: In the late 19th
Century in America, there was a wave of enthusiasm for prophecies predicting
the actual date for Christ’s Second Coming. One such false prophet was an
Adventist leader William Miller (1782-1849). And it is in his movement that
both the Jehovah Witnesses and the Seventh Day Adventists find their roots.
Miller first predicted that Christ would return on 21st March 1842, but then
revised the date to April 3, 1843 and again a new date - April 18, 1844. Undeterred by these failures, Miller came up
with a third date - 22nd October 1844. Churches which did not accept this
message were denounced as agents of “Babylon.” As doomsday approached, the
Millerites began to prepare. One account notes: “Fields were left
unharvested, shops were closed, people quit their jobs, paid their debts, and
freely gave away their possessions with no thought of repayment.” William
Miller himself began peddling white “ascension robes” to the faithful, many of
whom waited for the miraculous event in freshly dug graves. Jesus says "No one knows about that day
or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be
on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. (Mt. 24: 36; Mk
13: 32)
On November 2, 1992, the
"Mission for the Coming Days" church disbanded after a very tough
weekend. Lee Jang-rim, the Korean church’s founder, was in jail and the
embarrassed congregation returned to their respective homes and places of
employment. The central message of this church had been Christ’s imminent
return on October 28, 1992. It was the largest of the South Korean churches
that were predicting the impending end of the world. Hundreds, and possibly
thousands of these believers sold property, left their families, quit schools
and jobs, and deserted military duties. Of course, they should have checked the
pastor’s financial portfolio before banking on the October rapture date. Pastor
Jang-rim had swindled four million dollars in donations and had $380,000
invested in bonds that wouldn’t mature until the following May.
Reflection: For
Christians, Advent is a time when we look forward to the Birth of Jesus two
thousand years ago in a stable in Bethlehem. However, it is also the time we
look forward to the Hope we have in Christ’s Return. Today’s Gospel emphasizes
three crucial points.
I.
Christ is Coming Again- Jesus gives us prophecy of hope here. He tells us of
His second coming, and gives us a basic timeline to work with, while not giving
us a date and time of any clarity. Why do you think Jesus doesn’t just come out
and throw out a date? It’s because he himself does not know as we saw above in
the gospels of Matthew and Mark.
II.
Reading the Seasonal Signs-The
Parable of the Fig Tree. Just like a tree shows signs in the spring that summer
is near, we are to look around and see signs that the end is coming. We don’t
know at which exact day or hour, but we can tell when the season is coming. A
man of God was working in his garden one day when a neighbour came by to visit.
The neighbour attempted to jolt him by asking, "What would you be doing
now, Sir, if you knew for certain Jesus would return today?" He said:
"I would go right on doing what I’m doing."
III.
The Hope of His Return- The
end is coming, but we are not to know the day nor the hour. Our job is to watch
and pray. We do not know the time or place, but after our birth, our bodies
begin to die. So, we are to anticipate Christ’s return to us at our death. We
are to be ready for Him when He returns. "A time is coming for all men
when they will be either born again, or wish they had never been born at all.”
- anonymous
Five Essential Attitudes needed during Advent:
1. Tuning – God speaks when
we least expect it. (Matt 3:17) And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying,
"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." We’re His sheep
and we ought to hear His voice.
2.
Preparing– The Master will require an account of our lives when
we least expect it Mk 13:36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you
sleeping.
3. Readying– miracles will
happen when you least expect them. Mt 9:20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow
of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment.
4.
Expecting- Encounters with God will happen when we least expect
them. Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing
mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Expectancy
is the breeding ground for encounters.
5. Welcoming Trials-
they’re stepping stones to perfection (James 1:3). No test, no testimony. Earn
Stars through scars.
