By Kevin Gaffney RCIA Instructor

Reading 1 – Jeremiah 33:14-16.
In this reading the Prophet Jeremiah is speaking to those who are living in exile. Their city, Jerusalem has been attacked and destroyed in the Babylonian invasion and the people of Israel have been driven out of their land. Their lives have been turned upside down. They are living now as prisoners in another country. They long to be rescued. Jeremiah encourages them saying, “the days are coming when the Lord will fulfill the promise…Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure”. Jeremiah proclaims that God’s promise shall be fulfilled. This was not the end for the people but the beginning. Jeremiah assured the people of God’s presence with them. God loved them and was not abandoning them. 
Reading 2 -1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2.
The Apostle Paul had a great love for the Thessalonian people. He taught them about Jesus and spent time with them. He apparently was concerned whether or not their faith was growing and maturing. He has not been able to personally go to see them. He sends Timothy instead. Paul wants them to increase in their faith and be strong. Timothy later finds the faith of the Thessalonian people to be increasing and growing strong just as Paul had hoped. When Paul here’s what Timothy found he is overjoyed and grateful to God for this gift. 
The Gospel – Luke 21:25-28, 34-36.
In the gospel reading Jesus is telling the disciples that there will be many signs in the sun, moon, and stars that people will not understand. Many signs and tribulations will fall on the world. The people will be afraid, some will be confused, many will be shaken to the core. Jesus teaches them to have courage when these things happen. To stand upright, raise your heads  for their redemption is at hand. Jesus advises them to be vigilant and sober and pray that they will be strong to stand before the Son of Man. Jesus cautions, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of daily life catch you by surprise like a trap”. The world and all in it will be “shaken”
Reflections of the readings:
So here we are in the world centuries later getting ready for the Advent season. Advent means the arrival of a person or event. At first glance, Luke gets our attention telling us the heavens and earth will be “shaken”. The dramatic return of Jesus to the world. How do we interpret such things? Certainly great advice when we see the signs in real time. But if we don’t delve deeper, we may miss Jesus presence and advice on living day to day. We as modern believers witness the world “shaking” in different ways. We see the signs in our everyday lives and modern events. 
Like the Israelites we have a choice what to think, feel, and believe. If the Israelites went through their day like they always had, they would feel abandoned and depressed. We are also challenged during Advent to examine our individual attitudes and behavior. Will it be more of the same? Today as in the days of old, we are confronted with wars, disasters of all types, division, economic problems, and polarization to the point of tribalization in all forms. How do we respond to the hard knocks? Consider what Jesus is teaching during these times. We should “stand up straight, raise our heads, and await our redemption. Jesus is our companion. God is with us through Jesus example. Jesus is outlining that our faith in him will strengthen us.
Seems like a tall order when the sun and the earth are “shaking”, but don’t we feel our own world is shaken in a million ways. The loved one is gone, the dream that didn’t materialize, the advice we gave was dismissed, being alone, bored, our love and friendship not reciprocated, our requests denied, not being understood. 
Jesus offers his presence here and now just as Jeremiah foretold that God will be with his people and strengthen them when they were conquered. But like the Israelites we have to choose. What do we choose? Jesus offers us true happiness and stability in our life. It comes when we show concern for others. We can have Jesus on earth with us now. We don’t have to wait. With the troubles of life all around us, we too can become imprisoned by it. Luke tells us that we must be sober minded, stand up straight, and take on life head-on with Christ at our side. We don’t have to be “trapped” by circumstances. We are free to love, to give, to be kind, to forgive, to show hospitality, to support, to struggle, to be happy, and give and receive friendship to everyone we meet. We can be spiritually sober searching for the divine presence in the world right now all around us. We have his church. We have each other, we have our Catholic faith. We as believers we see things clearly where others may not. We will know a peace, strength, and courage that only comes from Christ.
So what can we try to do this Advent season? We can try to choose to recognize that Jesus is with us each day. That his presence is a free gift. We can have Jesus strength, power, and might with us right now. 
So let’s go out and “shake” things up for God’s glory.