THEME: PREPARE WITH HOPE FOR THE DAY OF SALVATION
Readings: Isaiah 2:1–5; Romans 13:11–14; Matthew 24:37–44
1st Sunday of Advent
1. INTRODUCTION
Beloved in Christ, today we begin a new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent—a season of hopeful expectation and spiritual preparation.
Today’s readings remind us that like Noah, we should not only prepare, but prepare with hope, for the day of our salvation, because it “is nearer now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11).
2. GOD’S SALVATION IS CERTAIN AND UNIVERSAL
In the first reading, Isaiah gives a glorious and hopeful prophecy: “In days to come… all nations shall stream to the mountain of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:2).
Two things stand out in this verse. Firstly, God’s salvation is certain. Isaiah speaks not in vague possibilities but in firm assurance: “In days to come…”
This means that God’s salvation will happen. God’s plan will be fulfilled. Christ will come.
Secondly, we learn that God’s salvation is universal. It is meant not for only Israel, but for “all nations”. They will be drawn to God’s light like insects attracted to a light.
People will say: “Come, let us go to the house of the Lord, that He may teach us His ways.” (Isaiah 2:3)
Thus, this Advent begins with this hopeful vision: Salvation is God’s gift, generously offered to all humanity. This is the hope that sustains the Church and the hope we carry into the world.
3. THE TRAGEDY OF IGNORING GOD’S OFFER OF SALVATION
The fate of Noah’s generation reminds us that there is tragedy in ignoring God’s offer of salvation. This is what Jesus warns us about in today’s gospel reading. He says: “As in the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37).
What was the problem in Noah’s time? They were “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” and they paid no attention (Matthew 24:38–39).
Nothing wrong with eating, drinking, etc. — but the people were so absorbed in daily life that they ignored God’s warning. So, their tragedy was spiritual blindness.
They lived without reflection, without repentance, without eternity in view.
Many today live the same way:
- Busy but spiritually empty.
- Comfortable but far from God.
- Distracted by noise, pleasure, or digital worlds.
- Numb to God’s voice and slow to respond to grace.
This is the danger Jesus warns against: spiritual indifference. The flood did not surprise Noah’s generation because life was hard — the flood surprised them because life was comfortable. Thus, Advent is intended to shake us awake: Do not ignore the offer of salvation.
4. PREPARING FOR SALVATION WITH HOPE LIKE NOAH
Unlike his generation, Noah lived with hopeful awareness. Like him, we should prepare for the day of salvation with hope. This hopeful expectation does not mean passively waiting. Rather, it means active preparation.
Noah built the ark under a clear sky – there was no cloud in the sky.
He obeyed God when others mocked him.
He trusted in the promise before seeing the fulfillment.
Jesus says to us: “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44). To prepare like Noah means:
- Living each day in trust, believing God’s promises.
- Doing the small things faithfully, even when unnoticed.
- Building our spiritual “ark” through prayer, repentance, and acts of love.
- Remaining hopeful, even when the world seems indifferent or cynical.
Hope is what made Noah different from others. So, hope is what will make us ready for Christ.
5. OUR PREPARATION ENTAILS REJECTING DARKNESS AND EMBRACING LIGHT
Saint Paul speaks powerfully: “The night is far gone; the day is at hand.
Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).
Advent preparation is not just about doing; it is about becoming — becoming children of the light. St. Paul tells us what this involves. On the one hand, rejecting darkness. This entails desisting from sin, bitterness, apathy, lust, jealousy, selfishness, hopelessness, etc. Hence, Paul says: “Make no provision for the flesh” (Romans 13:14).
On the other hand we have to embrace God’s light. Isaiah and St. Paul say the same thing in different ways. The former exhorts us: “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5). The latter in turn says: “put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).
We embrace God’s light by seeking His will, prayer, purity, generosity, forgiveness, compassion, vigilance, joyful expectation, spreading hope, etc.
6. CONCLUSION
Beloved, the message of this First Sunday of Advent is clear and full of hope:
- God’s salvation is certain and universal (cf. Isaiah 2).
- But many ignore it, like in the days of Noah (cf. Matthew 24).
- We must prepare with hope, like Noah, trusting in God’s promise (cf. Matthew 24).
- Our preparation means rejecting darkness and walking in the light (cf. Romans 13, Isaiah 2).
As we begin this Advent, let us wake from sleep. Let us rekindle hope.
Let us walk toward the Lord with hearts filled with expectation and joy.
May Christ find us awake, faithful, and radiant with hope when He comes again in glory. Amen.
By Most Rev. John Kobina Louis
