Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (December 3, 2006)

Suggested Emphasis

"Be vigilant at all times."

Salesian Perspective

The readings today convey a sense of longing and expectation. The readings today speak of the anticipation of a divine promise fulfilled, a day when the justice of God will be available to all, and not just a chosen few. The readings speak of the need to not be caught off guard when the fulfillment comes.

We Christians believe that this fulfillment of hope is embodied in the person, the power and the promise of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the justice of God. Jesus is "the Lord, our justice." Jesus seized every opportunity to mediate to others the peace, the love, the reconciliation, the truth - in short, the justice - of the living God.

As followers of Jesus, the vigilance we practice is not limited to waiting for the fulfillment of a far-off, final promise. No, our vigilance is about seizing the countless opportunities we have each day to mediate something of the justice of God, who is Jesus Christ, in our relationships with others.

Advent challenges us to identify anything in our lives that distracts us, that causes us to "become drowsy" or weary from doing what is right and good in the eyes of God. Advent challenges us to rid ourselves of those cares and anxieties that reduce our ability to seize the challenge that Jesus offers to us to be models of his justice in the eyes of our brothers and sisters. Advent calls us to recognize that we are no longer waiting for the Kingdom of God to take its rightful place in our hearts: rather, the Kingdom of God waits for each of us to do our part in fulfilling its promise in the lives of others.

Be vigilant at all times. What is the point of having great intentions "to conduct ourselves to please God" if we miss the countless opportunities each day, each moment to meet the needs of one another?

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is the Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center.