First Sunday of Advent 2024 Franciscan Gospel Reflection

Franciscan Friar Fr. Paul Gallagher reflects on the Gospel readings for the first Sunday of Advent. What would you like to be your focus during this Advent season? What do you need to do to make that happen?

The content is edited by Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Anne Marie Lom and Joe Thiel. The excerpts from the Sunday readings are prepared by Joe Thiel. To read or download the complete pdf with excerpts for your prayer, please click here Franciscan Gospel Reflection December 1 2024. Excerpts are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Photo:Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity

Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Background:

With the first Sunday of Advent the Catholic Church begins a new liturgical year. The Gospel text for most Sundays will be taken from Luke’s Gospel. While Luke’s Gospel is very similar to Mark’s and Matthew’s Gospels, it is also unique. Luke’s Gospel introduces Jesus’ presence in the world with familiar accounts of Zachariah and Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna, and the Canticles of Mary and Zechariah that are part of the Liturgy of the Hours said each day by priests, religious, and many in the laity. Luke also includes stories about Jesus’ encounters with the poor, marginalized, women, tax collectors, the oppressed and some Pharisees. 

Scripture scholars generally agree that Luke drew upon Mark’s Gospel. However, while Mark wrote before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, Luke wrote approximately 15 years after the Romans razed it. Luke tries to separate what has already happened from what is yet to come. The fall of the temple was emotionally disheartening for the Jews. Luke thus points to a much more vital event yet to come, which will be signaled by cosmic disturbances. These signs will signal the coming of Christ as Judge of the World.

All three synoptic Gospels of Matthew (24:3-44), Mark (13:3-37), and Luke (21:7-36) contain a narrative where the disciples marvel at the beauty of the Temple of Jerusalem and Jesus predicts its destruction. The disciples then inquire when this event will happen. Jesus responds by telling them that before this takes place, they will experience catastrophic events within creation and human disasters. His followers will undergo persecutions and some will even experience deaths. This description of future events in each of the synoptic Gospels is known as a “little apocalypse.” Two weeks ago, on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Gospel was a portion of Mark’s “little apocalypse.” Today’s Gospel is part of Luke’s “little apocalypse.”

The reader might hear the warning against giving in to carousing and the anxieties of daily life, and presume that Luke is addressing a social situation not very different from our own. While that might be one way to pray with today’s Gospel, it would be helpful to know the particular situation that Luke’s community was facing as Luke presents his Gospel.  Luke’s Christian community was a small splinter group of the larger Jewish community. In addition, most of the people of the day lived in dire poverty, wondering if they would have enough to make it through to the next day. They did not have the wealth to be concerned about getting drunk or be preoccupied with worldly possessions. When Luke addresses those who might be tempted to give in to drunkenness and the anxiety of the day, he is speaking to a very select group of people who are not only wealthy but also greedy. They are those who refuse to share the resources with those in need. In Luke’s day these people lived without honor. Luke is reminding his community that when Jesus returns, the whole of creation will be changed, and each person will stand before the Son of Man as an equal. There will be no privileged! 

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you encounter people who wonder if some present-day events are a sign of God’s final coming? Are there times when you too think of that possibility? What do you respond to that kind of thinking?
2. What would you like to be your focus during this Advent season? What do you need to do to make that happen?
3. Luke tells the community of Christians that they should stand erect and raise their heads at the coming of Jesus. Have you ever prayed standing erect with your head raised? How might that affect how you pray? Would that be welcome?
4. From the perspective of the Jews, God seemed to delay sending the Messiah, and to the Christians, God seems to have delayed the return of Jesus. How do you experience God’s delay? Does that inspire gratitude, anxiety, disappointment, or other feelings within you?
5. How might you approach this season of Advent in a way that might open you to grace that is found in waiting?
6. Can you talk with God now about how you feel about God’s delay, or your waiting? Speak honestly to God, who wants to know your often-unspoken feelings and thoughts.