HOMILY FROM CANON STEPHEN BAILLIE
1st Sunday of Advent B20
Finding our Feet
It can be hard to live with uncertainty. Back at the start of the Covid-10 pandemic, a counsellor was interviewed on radio about how people were coping with the ‘lockdown’. People were anxious and fearful, she said. Many were experiencing loneliness, as their normal routines and social life came to an abrupt halt.
Another thing that people really struggled with was the inability to make decisions. They felt trapped and stuck, unable to plan ahead. They couldn’t make plans to visit family or go on holidays. They didn’t know if their jobs were secure, or if their children would return to school. When things are up in the air, it is hard to find your feet and feel grounded. Many of us are still struggling with these feelings.
Today we enter a new church year, and our first Advent season since the pandemic hit. Many of us are feeling more subdued than normal as we begin our preparations for Christmas. It will be very different from the usual family and social occasion, and we are saddened and worried by this.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus urges his disciples to ‘stay Awake’. We might feel we have no choice at the moment – the feeling of not knowing what is coming is very familiar. We are on our guard, on edge, waiting for the latest news. Yet already, there are initiative springing up to support those who are vulnerable or in need this Christmas – just look at the response to the ‘Advent Giving Tree’ and the work of our St Vincent de Paul! In our own families, we are plotting ways to ensure no one is alone or isolated. We are ‘awake’ to the strange circumstances, and we are finding ways to cope. Starting our Christmas Masses and outdoor Services on Monday, 21st December right through to Christmas day offering 9 Masses, 10 on Christmas Eve/day and 27 services outside. To our Parish YouTube Service involving so many of the parishioners and delivering 1,500 Christmas letters.
Advent is a time for waiting. Yet, waiting always seems negative and boring! We remember the time of waiting in the Bible when people longed for something that would change everything. We read how people longed for an end to slavery, longed to return home, longed to feel close to God, and longed to be spoken to and reconciled. This is US today! Advent has the same purpose. It calls us to be alert, aware, attentive.
Advent awareness is trying to develop the attitude that values the gently spoken word, the kind gesture, the presence of forgiveness, so as not to miss God and Jesus at the turn of our changing world and not to miss God by mooring the boat of the Church in safe waters, instead of launching out into the murky mayhem of people’s lives, which is what we are trying to reach out to the people of St Joseph’s. Awareness leads to a waiting in joyful hope for ‘the master of the house to return unexpectedly’ as the Gospel tells us today.
Advent alertness is to know that there will always be an unexpected breakthrough of God in our lives. Have hope, have trust!
Advent attentiveness alerts us that someone will dispel our darkness and uncover a new light on our lives. We have to believe this, because we are people of faith – we are people of hope!
An advent attitude gives us ‘the resolve to run forth to meet Christ’ as ‘the loving kindness of God’s heart visits us’ with promises of presence and peace. That’s what we need to focus in our lives during these days.
We pray today for the strength to guide us though the coming week and weeks, and for the peace and joy of Christ to lift our hearts and carry us forward.
“In this time of tribulation and mourning, I hope that you will be able to experience Jesus who comes to meet you, greets you and says: ‘Rejoice’.”
Pope Francis
