Second Sunday of Advent
December 4, 2022
We come to Mass to be fed, or, as we will pray after Communion today, to be “replenished by the food of spiritual nourishment.” This food comes in two courses. The first course is the Word of God which is proclaimed from the Holy Scriptures, wherein “Christ is present in his word, as he carries out the mystery of salvation, sanctifies humanity and offers the Father perfect worship.”
The second course is our celebration of the “holy and living sacrifice” which Christ offered from the altar of the Cross for our salvation. Here we receive the very Body and Blood, soul and divinity of Christ, for as the Lord himself taught us, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” Thus, through Word and Sacrament Christ comes to live in us and we are taught to “judge wisely the things of earth and hold firm to the things of heaven.”
Our reception of Christ in Word and Sacrament also foreshadows heaven, where, seated at the heavenly banquet, we will dwell in the presence of the Victorious Lamb. There will be no more need of words or earthly food on that day, for we shall know him face to face. On that day we will be one with him in glory, joining our voices with the song of the angels, forever in perfect peace.
You can almost hear it in the voices joined together in this church today: “Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”