*1st Sunday of Advent — 2nd December 2018 — Gospel: Luke 21,25-28. 34-36 *
*The Coming of the Son of Man*
“The son of man coming in a cloud” is an image from the prophet Daniel (7,13) which Jesus invokes as referring to his own majestic coming (vv.26-28; Mt 24,30; 26,64). The Son of Man comes with great power and glory, and he holds the authority of God’s kingdom. His appearance with cosmic and astronomical signs represents the approach of the world’s consummation. While many will tremble and faint from fear, the disciples of Jesus may stand up and raise their heads, since their complete redemption from the fallen world is drawing near. It will be a time of joyful fulfillment, when all of God’s promises to his people will be fully realized.
Jesus’ focus here is not on when he will return but on how his disciples should await his return. Nothing can enable the faithful to predict his final coming that is very far. And so we must live in constant anticipation, not only by being aware of this world’s pleasures and illusory attractions that are temporary and transitory, but by escaping from this snare. Living amidst this world Jesus invites his faithful to be watchfully alert as if every moment were as important as our last moment of life. And he urges us to live faithfully in prayerful vigilance (Eph 6,18), while the world is asleep. So that we may avoid errors and deceit (2 Thess 2,9; 1 Thes 3,13) during the trails preceding the coming of the Son of Man.
