First Sunday of Advent
Gospel: Lk 21: 25- 28, 34-36
This Advent season, Call To Action has selected the theme: “Hold Out Your Light.”
“In a world with so much darkness, we are the light that must stay lit!”
The Advent season has a twofold purpose: commemorating the first coming of Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem and the second is to focus our minds and hearts on the second coming of Christ. This week's readings welcome us into the liturgical season by establishing that “The Lord is Our Justice.” The first reading speaks of a leader who will come and do what is “right and just” for the world's people. The second reading encourages us to allow Christ to “increase and abound in love for one another and all.” How do we love our neighbors? How do we love “the stranger?” In a world that has been divided by political strife and group survival tactics; we must strive to care for people who we do not know anything about. Walk away from what we know to be open to hearing the realities of others.
It is in the Gospel, that we are called to “Be Alert.” Part of being alert is guarding our hearts from the worries of this life. Now that’s pretty difficult when all of our lives are faced with noise, distractions, and even oppressive actions that may even harm us.
We must dig even deeper during our Advent reflection and widen our understanding of the ‘anxieties of daily life’. What about the drunkenness of power and privilege? Why does it seem as though there are so many people drunk with power? Those who appear drunk with power appear so because they fear survival. If one is white, male, wealthy, educated, or able-bodied; that individual has been socialized to protect their own group's interests.
One of the first ways all of us can “Hold out your light” this Advent is by seeing how we are socialized by our identities to not think about others and their burdens. Jesus Christ is our Justice! Each of us holds a piece that forces others to live a life filled with anxieties. As we prepare for this Christmas Season, Let us keep Christ in Christmas by not just hanging up the lights. Let us also check our privileges so others may live a life filled with the Love of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Black Moses is the Call to Action Executive Director. He is based in New Orleans.