An Advent reflection on the First Sunday of Advent Mass readings.
Mass readings for the First Sunday of Advent (1 Dec, 2024)
"When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your head high, because your liberation is near at hand."
Luke 21:28
As a mum, I am often touched by how often my young daughter shows courage. Swimming lessons this past year has been a real test of her courage. Watching her stand on the edge of the pool, deciding whether to jump in or not, I can feel the big effort it is for her to overcome her fear and literally “take the plunge”. Putting her head under water when she knows she relies on air to breathe (while aware the water may go up her nose) seems like such a crazy idea!
I’ve watched my daughter show courage in other areas too: keeping her cool when I left her at preschool for the first time – barely knowing anyone there; staying in her own bed after waking up from a bad dream; getting back on the bike after falling off. I en-courage her to have courage in moments like these, and praise her when she does.
But sometimes I stop and wonder whether I, too, am practising courage in my life with the Lord.
For courage looks different when you are an adult. Courage to speak up for the Truth; courage to act differently to what is expected by those around me; courage to speak to someone new – even someone who lives a life very different from me; courage to praise the Lord in times of suffering; courage to begin again when I know I have sinned or let people down. The truth is, we are all called to be courageous – it’s not something we grow out of.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus warns us of the “distress” and “fear” of the people when He comes again at the end times. Yet, He calls us to “stand erect”, holding our heads high. I can’t imagine that this would be an easy thing to do – even if we knew that we were shortly to be saved. I wonder if, like small children, we are wise to practise courage in the little things, to prepare ourselves for the bigger tests of courage that the Lord has for us.
This Advent may be a time to ask the Lord for a new depth of courage to follow him more closely. He invites us to follow him with the heart of a child. Let us entrust ourselves to Him, let us be en-couraged to follow Him – to get up when we have fallen down, and to trust in Him that He is right there – like a devoted parent who longs for our growth in all that is good.
If you enjoyed this Advent reflection, you may like Comfort and Joy: An Advent Reflection.
Annaliese lives in Albury with her husband and young daughter. She works part time as a speech pathologist and enjoys (basic) sewing, baking (well, really, eating), singing, cups of tea, and long chats with friends – either in person or on the phone. She is so grateful to God for His faithfulness in her life and for the support of a loving, faith-filled community around her.
2 Responses
Very nice reflection in trusting our loving God. Thank you!! Hope in trusting in our faithful God like a child trust in her mother and father. God holds our hand which is better than we hold His hand. If we hold His hand it’s easy to let go of His hand BUT when God holds our hand He will never let go of us when we in struggle/weariness and weakness in our courage.
Thank you for your comment. It is true – God is always faithful; we just need to have courage and trust Him!