The new liturgical year starts us off looking ahead to the coming of Christ, a time when God's presence will be in the world in a special way.
We don't know when this time will come, which is why Jesus Christ tells His disciples to be alert so as to be ready for Him.
St. Paul speaks with similar urgency in the 2nd reading from Romans 13, because "our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed". That's why he urges his readers, and us, to turn away from worldly ways and deeds toward ways that are honoring to God, as we abide in His love, which is the fulfillment of His great work of salvation begun in Jesus Christ.
Living in love is the way we advance God's reign on Earth. That is how we changes weapons into plowshares and farming equipment, as Isaiah writes. Not only does this prophecy speak of the end of war, but the process of bringing an end to all malice in our own hearts. It is what happens as God exalts His holy mountain, and all peoples on Earth stream toward Him to receive His instruction, so as to walk in His light, and abide in His ways.
So we remain alert in waiting for His coming, and rejoice even now in His presence among us, as we abide in His love.
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