Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
First Sunday of Advent Year C
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara
1 December 2024
A New Dawn of Hope
My brothers and sisters in Christ, as we begin this season of Advent, we enter a time of watchful waiting, eager expectation, and renewed hope. Advent invites us to reflect on the great mystery of God’s presence in our lives, and in the midst of a world that often feels dark and uncertain, it is a season of hope — hope in God’s promises, hope in His coming, and hope that He will fulfill all that He has said. This year, as we prepare for the approaching Jubilee Year 2025, with its theme of “Pilgrims of Hope,” we are reminded that our journey is one of hope, always looking ahead to the light of Christ, the dawn of a new era of peace, justice, and salvation.
Today’s liturgy on this First Sunday of Advent illuminate this journey and challenge us to walk it with renewed hearts, as we await a new dawn of hope.
The prophet Jeremiah, in today’s first reading, speaks to us of a time when God will bring forth a righteous branch, a ruler who will bring justice and peace. He says, “In those days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell in confidence. And this is the name the city will be called: The Lord-our-integrity.” (Jer 33:16)
This promise from God was made in the midst of a difficult and uncertain time. The people of Israel were living through exile and suffering, far from their land, their Temple, and their God. But God’s promise was clear: a new day is coming, a day when righteousness will prevail, when God’s justice will restore peace and order.
For us, living in a world that can sometimes feel broken and fragmented, this promise from God is still alive. It is the promise that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, will come again, and when He does, He will bring full justice and peace to all.
This is the hope that sustains us — hope that God’s plan for the world will not fail, hope that His reign of justice and righteousness will one day be fully realized. Advent invites us to look forward to that day. We are pilgrims of hope, journeying toward the fulfillment of God’s promises. Just as the people of Israel longed for the coming of the Messiah, so too do we. And just as God’s promises to them were fulfilled, so too will His promises to us be fulfilled in Christ.
In today’s second reading from the letter to the Thessalonians, Saint Paul exhorts the community to grow in love and holiness as they prepare for the return of the Lord.
He prays for them, asking that their hearts may be strengthened in holiness and that they may live in peace with one another, and “so confirm your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father when Our Lord Jesus Christ comes with all his saints.” (1 Thess 3:13) Saint Paul reminds us that as we wait for Christ, we are not to wait passively or idly. Our waiting is an active one, filled with hope, but also with preparation.
Our lives are meant to be a reflection of God’s love, peace, and holiness. We are called to live in such a way that we are ready for the coming of the Lord at any moment, and to help others along the way.
In the context of Advent, this is a call for us to deepen our spiritual commitment, to grow in holiness, and to live in hope as we await Christ’s return. As pilgrims of hope, we are not just waiting for the future; we are actively preparing for it by living lives of love, justice, and holiness here and now.
Finally, in today’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus speaks to His disciples about signs in the heavens, the distress of nations, and the coming of the Son of Man. He warns them to be on guard, to watch out for distractions, and to remain alert.
He says, “When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.” (Luke 21:28)
Jesus tells us that as we await His return, we must be vigilant. It is so easy to become distracted by the worries of this world, by the cares and temptations that surround us. Yet, Jesus calls us to lift our heads, to be watchful, to remain focused on the hope that is in Him. As we live in the midst of a world that often seems to be in turmoil, Jesus’ words are particularly poignant. He calls us to stand firm, to remain secure in hope, and to be ready for the dawning of a new era. This is not a passive hope, but one that calls us to active anticipation — watching for the signs of God’s coming, staying alert to His presence, and living each day as a pilgrim on the journey of faith.
As we reflect on these readings today, we are reminded that we are pilgrims of hope. This Advent, as we prepare for the Jubilee Year 2025, we are invited to reflect on the journey we are on, a journey that is both personal and communal. We are walking toward the fulfillment of God’s promises—a new dawn of peace, justice, and salvation.
This pilgrimage is not easy, and it requires us to be vigilant, to prepare our hearts, and to deepen our commitment to living as people of hope. We must be alert to the distractions of this world, and keep our eyes fixed on the horizon, where the light of Christ will soon appear. And while we wait, we are called to grow in holiness, to love one another as Christ has loved us, and to be bearers of hope to those who are in darkness.
So, my brothers and sisters, as we begin this season of Advent, let us renew our hope in God’s promises. Let us look forward with anticipation to the new dawn that is coming, the dawning of Christ’s reign. As pilgrims of hope, let us prepare our hearts and our lives for His coming, remaining watchful, vigilant, and ready.
May the light of Christ guide us on our journey, and may we, like the prophet Jeremiah, see the signs of God’s justice and righteousness breaking into our world.
Come, Lord Jesus. Maranatha. Amen.