Gospel Commentary: Joyful Expectation

By Fr. Jack Peterson
Herald Columnist
(From the issue of  12/4/03)

Advent is a season of joy-filled expectation. We prepare to celebrate the three "comings" of Christ: the first coming, when nearly 2000 years ago the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us; the second coming, when Christ will come again at the end of the ages; and the third coming, when we consciously invite Him to come and dwell in our hearts through faith. Led by the Holy Spirit during this four-week journey, Christians experience joy from many sources. Let’s look at a few of them.

There is a joy that comes from being on a journey with a purpose. I have been on four World Youth Day pilgrimages lead by the Holy Father. On each one, I have experienced a tangible joy that gradually builds as you travel with your companions through the various events of the week or weeks in preparation for the grand finale, the vigil ceremony and concluding Mass with the Holy Father. In spite of hunger, fatigue and dirt, the joy of celebrating Mass with the Pope and a million other young people is almost overwhelming. Our lives are a journey of faith. Advent reminds us of this truth. Parts of the journey are rather arduous, but as today’s psalm reminds us, "those who sow in tears will reap rejoicing." Christians know the joy of being on a pilgrimage with the purpose of uniting us with our Heavenly Father to celebrate the Eternal Banquet.

John the Baptist proclaims boldly one of the greatest joys on this earth, the joy of being forgiven our sins. It is no small coincidence that the last of the Old Testament prophets and the first of the New paved the way for the coming of the Messiah by preaching a baptism of repentance. One of the Advent blessings given to priests is hearing the confessions of those in great need of God’s mercy, especially those who have been away from the Sacrament of Penance for years. The joy is profound that you hear in their voice and see on their face when the weight of sin is lifted, their relationship with God is restored and the offering of new life in Christ is accepted. This joy is offered for free in every parish this Advent. Have you been away from Confession for a while?

There is a joy in receiving a precious gift. One Christmas a number of years ago, my parents surprised me with one of those over-the-top gifts that I never expected. I was so thrilled with my present that I did not stop screaming "This is so awesome!" the whole day. Advent is offered to us as a means of preparing to receive the greatest gift the world has ever known, the Gift of God’s only Son, born so humbly in a manger.

Advent is a time to clean out our hearts through prayer, penance and acts of charity to make room for Christ, that He might come and make of us a tabernacle. Lord, as we make our way through this wonderful season of Advent, "remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy" (opening prayer, second Sunday in Advent).

Fr. Peterson is campus chaplain at Marymount University in Arlington.

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