Isaiah 2:1–5; Romans 13:11–14; Matthew 24:37–44
USCCB First Sunday of Advent Liturgical Readings Page
A cartoon by Tim Bertram shows a man wearing a Christian-themed T-shirt, a 25k golden cross, a Christian logo cap, and a WWJD bracelet. He listens to the latest Christian music, drinks distilled water called “Sea of Galilee,” and drives a car with a bumper sticker “I love Jesus,” a plate number JHN 316, and the fish emblem.
The cartoon’s message is clear: “Just because you wear the stuff doesn’t make you a Christian.” It’s funny—and uncomfortably true.
So, what makes one a Christian?
1.1. Walking in the Light
At the beginning of Advent, the prophet Isaiah gives us the answer:
“O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5).
The light of the Lord is not some mystical glow or distant vision. It is a way of life shaped by God’s justice and righteousness. Isaiah’s call is not about seeing more, but about living better—about letting our choices, relationships, and daily actions reflect God’s goodness.
Paul strengthens this same invitation:
“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14).
To “put on Christ” is to live our baptism daily. It’s not about wearing Christian symbols but about embodying Christ’s life—choosing compassion over indifference, humility over pride, patience over anger, and above all, love that holds everything together.
Faith is not a label; it’s a lifestyle.
1.2. Building the Ark
Although the sun still shines, our world is wrapped in shadows—of cruelty, injustice, and hopelessness. Many of us grow numb or distracted. Like the people in Noah’s time, we escape into screens, scroll through virtual worlds, or buy things we don’t need to avoid the emptiness we feel.
But Noah did not escape—he built.
Why not begin, like him, to build an ark that could preserve the world we dream of—a world without war, cruelty, or despair?
Isaiah and Paul remind us that we are people of the light. When we form communities of compassion and shared humanity, we resist the flood of darkness and prepare a new dawn. Such living rarely makes headlines, but it transforms the world quietly—one act of mercy, honesty, or courage at a time.
1.3. The Light That Changed an Empire
The first Christians did not wear Christian T-shirts or golden crosses. They had no churches or printed Bibles. Many lived in hiding. Yet their way of life—their light—drew others in.
Love replaced fear. Generosity replaced greed. Within a few centuries, the Roman Empire began to change from the inside out.
Can we do the same today? Can we, as followers of Christ, live differently from the world around us?
The answer will shape not only our future but the future of our planet.
As this Advent begins, may we awaken to the light of Christ and build, in our own time, an ark of love, justice, and hope.
Scripture Attribution
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993
the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of
Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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