Working with the Word

Focusing the Gospel

Key words and phrases:  As it was in the days … so it will be, did not know, stay awake, do not know

To the point: “As it was in the days … so it will be”—with these words Jesus points to patterns in human conduct. Humans have been both unfaithful and faithful to God’s ways; have not paid attention, have paid attention to God’s instructions; have not been awake, have stayed awake to God’s comings. The people in the days of Noah did not know that the flood was coming; Jesus’ hearers did not know when the Son of Man would come. We, however, do know that Jesus has come, has taught us the way of faithfulness, has brought us salvation. We need only to “stay awake.” Advent is about our coming to God.

Connecting the Gospel …

… to the first reading:  Isaiah describes the day when all nations will “climb the Lord’s mountain.” “Mountain” is a metaphor for God’s Presence. Our Advent journey, as in the days of old, is to climb the mountain of the Lord, to come to God.

… to experience: Advent itself is a metaphor for Christian living. As Advent is a progression toward celebration of the Nativity, so is our daily life a journey toward the fullness of Life to come. We need only to “stay awake.”

**From Saint Louis University