Sunday, December 7, 2014
2nd Sunday of Advent
First century Christians received the promise of Christ’s second coming and expected it to happen in their lifetimes. In Peter’s letter to these Christians he offers an apocalyptic vision of this “Day of the Lord.” But we must not get swept up in the cataclysmic imagery while missing the point of today’s second reading. Peter’s message is best reflected in verse 9: “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard ‘delay,’ but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” In a nutshell, Peter reminds us that we still have time and that God patiently waits for our return to him!
The call to repentance is one that comes right at the beginning of each gospel. Today’s very familiar reading reminds us of this. While we often leave repentance to the Lenten season, it is an ongoing process, a constant returning to the Lord. More than a series of external practices, repentance is an attitude, a change of direction, a reorganizing of priorities. Repentance is a transformation of the heart.In verse 8 Peter reminds us that God’s plan will unfold according to his timing and not ours. But there is still time for us to embrace “lives of holiness and godliness.” Imagine: God may be delaying the destruction of the world on account of Christians! God desires that all should repent. And in his great mercy and love for humankind, God patiently gives us time to do that. So what are we waiting for?
The day of the Lord will come “life a thief in the night,” unexpectedly and without warning. Will we be ready?
What are we doing to prepare ourselves for the Day of the Lord?
The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, the Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.
