The world and our lives are pregnant with new life

Listening to the Spirit

Lord, thank you for the gift of Your Word
so that all your people may know and love You more
and understand You better.

As I go about my day may I not forget
the scriptures you have opened up for me.

Help me to recognize how You want for me
to apply Your Word to my daily life.

Holy Spirit, guided by Your Word,
may You enlighten my mind
and enkindle in my heart
a greater love for You and for others
in my family and in the world.

Amen.

Listening to the Word

Mt 24:37–44

Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So, too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Reflection

A pregnant woman. Most probably it comes to our mind, Mary. Thinking about this Advent Time, at the beginning of the new Liturgical Year 2022-2023, this image could describe how should be our attitude in life: every thought, every movement, every plan, the near future is determined and directed in the coming beautiful event: the new life. No other distractions, no other thoughts, no other interests. Therefore, this is also our attitude, so that we can welcome God in our lives, and all our actions, and thoughts can be directed to build up a better society. We are invited to think that despite the world looks like a place of hate, death, and darkness, in reality, it is pregnant with new life, the one brought by the Son of God, who once again comes to dwell among us.

There is a second image that could help us in this time of advent. It is the image offered in the readings of today’s Sunday. The passage from darkness/night to light.

In the first reading, the darkness is represented by the sense of lostness of the people while there is the Word of God which is a real light to their journey. Let us take the good habit of reading the Gospel of the day during these four weeks of preparation for Christmas.

In the second reading, the darkness is represented by the sins: “orgies and drunkenness, promiscuity and lust, rivalry and jealousy.” Saint Paul is inviting us to “wear the armor of light.” Are we able to have a small change, especially in those sins that are bothering us?

Finally, in the Gospel, the darkness of the generation of Noah who does not discern the time and its signs and therefore does not notice anything gets lost in blindness and perishes. Let us pay attention to what is happening around us. They are “messages” leading us to change and improve our lives. The night which represents negative situations for us all can become an invitation to be vigilant and to be awake.

The world and our lives are pregnant with new life. Let us start this new Advent Time with hope.