1. “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near” (Lk 21:28).
The word Advent, dear to the hearts of Christians for the meaningful reality it expresses in view of the expectation of Jesus' birth, is also an announcement of the Lord's return: the return of the Redeemer at the end of time; the continuous return of the Son of God and Saviour in our history in the days that concern us. The Lord has already come, the Lord is coming, the Lord will come again, "with power and great glory" (Lk 21:27), and we await him with joyful hope, for we trust that he will "call us to himself in glory, to possess the kingdom of heaven," as today's Collect prayer expresses.
2. Today, the word of God on the mystery of Advent resounds among us. We listen to them comforted by the example of faith and willingness to serve of Joseph and Mary, supported also by the model of humility and dedication of Christ.
From the desolate and devastated city of Jerusalem, the prophet Jeremiah assures the exiles in Babylon of the fulfilment of God's promises: the redeeming Messiah will come, "he will exercise judgement and justice . Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in peace" (Jer 33:15-16). It is a promise of consolation, but one that will not be fulfilled without trials. At the end of time, the coming of the Lord will be accompanied by upheavals in the heavens and anguish among the anxious peoples on earth.
The Evangelist, in the style and formulas of ancient prophetic and apocalyptic descriptions, summarises in the image of catastrophe the message of necessary purification and judgement on the world. At the same time, he announces God's victory over all forces of evil, with the appearance of new heavens and a new earth. The upheaval of the cosmos and the turmoil of hearts are indeed remembered as a prelude to the appearance of the Son of Man.
"Stand up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near": trust and vigilance are the virtues required of Advent. Vigilance above all in prayer, which makes us worthy to appear before the Saviour and Judge of all, who wants our hearts to be "steadfast and blameless in holiness" (1 Thessalonians 3:13).
3. With our faith in the Lord who is coming confirmed, and the certainty of his perennial presence in history and his coming at the end of time reaffirmed, we are ready to welcome the words of the Apostle that we have just heard.
Paul asks the Lord not only to make us grow, but to abound in love. He asks that this love be mutual, within the community and towards all, that is, towards believers and non-believers.
Let us ensure, dear brothers and sisters, that our hearts are not weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life (cf. Lk 21:34)! May the Advent of Christ not find us far from the faith and inattentive to the message of his word! May the enemies of our salvation not triumph over us, for only those who hope in God will not be disappointed (cf. Ant. of the Introit).
[Pope John Paul II, homily, 1 December 1991]
