Delivered by Svara Nirmala, Clairine, and Marie Delie from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Isaiah 2: 1-5; Rs psalm 122: 1-2.4-5.6-7.8-9; Romans 13: 11-14a; Matthew 24: 37-44.

ALL MUST BE READY

The title for ourmeditation today on the First Sunday of Advent is: All Must Be Ready. Theexperience of missing a flight or train has happened a lot. A friend onceshared his experience about this. He was enjoying the excitement of playinggames and downloading videos on the laptop while waiting for the transitflight. The moment was so precious to him because the internet is fast and freewhich is not found in the village where he comes from. He really wanted toenjoy it to his heart's content. But until the last call to board the plane, hedid not get to hear it. Finally when he realized later, he was too late toleave. His ticket automatically expired.

He was ashamed ofhimself because in front of him there was a sign attached to the wall thatsays, "All passengers must be ready before being called to board theplane." All of us who are healthy-minded understand about getting ready.Everyone who knows and understands about getting ready, accepts it as anobligation. The basis should be this one: a demand to be fulfilled. Someone whohas an interest in this demand must follow and obey it. The quality required ofhim before carrying out that obligation is that he must be prepared. There's noway of not being prepared.

For matters relatingto faith in God, preparation is absolute. There are a lot of God's words andcommands about preparation. God is never subject to time and place, but wehumans are very determined to. Humans are very limited in their ability toadapt to different times and places. For this reason, self-preparation foradjustment to changes is absolute. The universal law for preparation applies toall people, and for believers is crucial in the fulfillment of God's will.

As we enter the newLiturgical Year, marked by the celebration of this first Sunday of Advent, ourgood news is the call to prepare. We are reminded to be prepared to welcome ourLord Jesus Christ. The call to welcome is addressed to all nations and culturesof the world. We follow the source of this call that is in the holy house ofGod. There enthroned Jesus as the Great King. His kingdom was marked by Hisbirth on this earth more than 2000 years ago, which we celebrate on hisbirthday every December 25, the Christmas day.

We all must do thepreparations to welcome our King, because he always comes in accordance withthe time he wants. He just wants to find us happy, longing and full of warmnessto welcome Him, so that our joy becomes full and He fulfills the will of theFather.

Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O God of great love, may this celebration of the first Sunday of Adventmake us always prepared to welcome your Son Jesus Christ our savior. Our Fatherwho art in heaven... In the name of the Father...