First Sunday of Advent: Expectation, Exhortation, Eucharist, Eternal Life, by Carl E. Olson

Readings:
• Isa 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7
• Psa 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
• 1 Cor 1:3-9
• Mk 13:33-37

When the Son of God came the first time, St. Augustine stated in a sermon, “he came in obscurity, it was to be judged. When he comes openly it will be to judge.” This observation is a helpful (and challenging!) bridge between last Sunday’s Gospel reading on the Feast of Christ the King and today’s Gospel reading, proclaimed on this, the first day of the liturgical year.

“Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which in turn is a translation of the Greek word, parousia. Both words indicate a coming or arrival and a presence. Advent focuses simultaneously on the first and second comings of Christ, and his presence with us now, especially in the blessed sacrament of the Eucharist. The parousia—sometimes called the second coming of Christ—will be realized fully at the end of time, but has already been initiated by the Incarnation, which revealed the glory of God among men (cf., Jn 1:14). …