First Sunday of Advent
MK 13:33-37
December 3, 2023

It’s hard to believe, but preoccupied by holiday preparations, many people were totally unaware that the day before Thanksgiving…one of the busiest travel days of the year in this country…there was an incident at the Rainbow Bridge connecting the U.S. with Canada at Niagara Falls.

Within minutes of a car bursting into flames and exploding in the immediate vicinity of the Customs and Immigration booths, the “gatekeepers,” whose responsibility it is to BE WATCHFUL…BE ALERT…sprang into action. Four U.S.-Canada border crossings were immediately closed as local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies got to work. The Department of Homeland Security around the country was on “high alert,” anxiously awaiting the initial reports from the First Responders on the scene. And, of course, the media voiced the suspicion that was on everyone’s mind…TERRORISM!

When the FBI Buffalo found that there were no explosive materials or “terrorism nexus,” I for one…and in spite of the tragedy…felt a great deal of relief.

The whole thing quickly disappeared from headline news as well as from people’s minds and conversations as we focused on celebrating Thanksgiving, watching football, and shopping online. I want to suggest that is part of our human frailty. We are easily distracted. Once we are no longer threatened or inconvenienced, we just go on with our lives. We so quickly forget the things that terrorize us. Maybe that’s a good thing. We certainly do not want to move through our time on earth constantly filled with fear…always on “high alert.” That’s no way to live.

However, just as we quickly forget those things that threaten our safety, security, and well-being, once a crisis has passed, it seems that we tend to forget as well WHO has saved us.

This Sunday, we begin The Season of Advent, and with it an entirely new Liturgical Year.

I say it again: It’s hard to believe, but preoccupied by holiday preparations, many people are completely oblivious to the great significance of these coming weeks. Focused entirely on making this the “BEST CHRISTMAS EVER,” many are completely distracted by preparations for a holiday, without giving a single thought to the preparations for the HOLY DAY!

Advent is not a penitential season. It is a time of joyful anticipation.

Still, the proper observance of Advent is a means of building awareness of, and appreciation for, the Holy Day as it approaches. It offers the opportunity to focus on the meaning of The Incarnation…. God’s Eternal Word made Flesh. Celebrating Advent BEFORE we begin to celebrate Christmas enables us to better comprehend this Sacred Mystery, whereby The Creator extends the ultimate expression of love by entering into creation, as One like us, in all things but sin.

Another way of thinking about The Birth of Jesus Christ might be to imagine that a bridge connecting heaven with earth has been opened, and nothing that anyone or anything can do will ever destroy that link. What is tragic, however, is how little attention or importance is given by so many to this wonderful gift from God. Although this expression of unconditional love is certainly worthy of celebrating, we tend to focus on the party and forget the reason for the joy we feel during this time of year.

Another, and possibly even greater, tragedy is that we have lost sight of a promise that has been made. The Christ will, once again, pass over that Bridge of Love to declare that the Reign of God has arrived in all its fullness. This season of Advent reminds us that we are a people waiting…not just for the annual celebration of something wonderful that happened in the past, but for the fulfillment of God’s Promise of eternal peace that will come someday…in the future.

The Scriptures proclaimed during this very brief Season are meant to reawaken an awareness that God’s plan for creation is still unfolding. “THIS” is not all there is. At the appointed time, “THIS” will come to its conclusion and Christ will return to renew the face of the earth. Then, there will no longer be a need for a bridge connecting “THIS” reality with The Kingdom…because THERE WILL BE NOTHING BUT THE GLORY OF GOD. And that is something to celebrate, not just once a year, but every day of our lives.

Unfortunately, just as we forget threats once a crisis has passed, it seems we also forget about promises of wonderful things to come. And so, The Lord Himself encourages us not to get distracted by “THIS.” Rather, Jesus cautions us to be watchful and to prepare to rush out to greet and welcome Him with joyful hearts when He returns in all His Glory.

It might well have fallen out of the minds of most folks, but I can only assume (and actually hope) that the “gatekeepers,” charged with the responsibility of protecting us, will continue to investigate just exactly what happened at the Rainbow Bridge last week. How effective was the response? How can a repeat of the incident be avoided?

Disciples who are not overly distracted by “THIS” have the responsibility of protecting The Gospel, which is The Bridge that connects “here” from “There.” Baptism brings with it the duty to offer a fitting and proper response to God’s GREAT EXPRESSION OF LOVE, and to search for ways to overcome the forgetfulness of others. Advent is a time for disciples to be especially watchful and alert for ways to keep the Christ Light burning until Christ returns in all His Glory.