Nobody likes the critical person, someone who has the negative word, view or barb, the slightly caustic remark, who travels with their own personal cloud. Who if it's sunny today, will tell you rain is coming.
So why in the world choose a Gospel like today's to begin Advent? As the thronged shops operate to the joyful sound of Christmas jingles, we have "…nations in agony…men dying of fear… the powers of the heavens will be shaken."
Pretty it isn't, but it's real. The sad truth is that all of us who are old enough know; that we do not live in a "Santa Claus" world. Children's visions are washed away with the hot tears of grown-up disappointment and despair. The Gospel vividly shows the world ending, but most people find their world ends in a more personal way. A relationship ends, a loved one dies, illness intervenes, addiction in the family. When your life is rocked to its foundations, does the misery of disappointment, disease and death have the last word? No it doesn’t – God does. What we should do is increase in love (Paul- 2nd Reading). Stand erect, don’t flee situations or blot them out (Gospel). God is at work. Advent is more than just waiting for the coming Christ child, it is anticipation – waiting combined with hope.
(Comments to Tom at stmarysrcathlone@oceanfree.net )