Purple Reign (Advent) / Revolution. (2022-11-27, Advent 1st Sunday)

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2022-11-27 --- 1^st Sunday Advent   ● Isaiah 2:1-5 ● ● Psalm 122 ●● Romans 13:11-14 ● ● + Matthew 24:37-44 ● ●     

Title:  Purple Reign (Advent) / Revolution.

[__01__]    It would be quite revolutionary, quite a statement, if you were to use the color purple as a dominant color or tint in your home, whether outside or inside or in your wardrobe. Imagine you wore purple all the time !

I know that in sports teams were sometimes outlandish colors. But if we were to consider the devotion and tenacity of World Cup national soccer players around, they are not just motivated by the color of their jersey but by a deeper meaning of identity and nationality. There is permanence to purple in our faith and liturgy and identity, but it is not just décor.

 [__02_ROYALTY_]     The purple or violet reminds us of the revolutionary and royal identity of Jesus Christ, and our identity as his followers.

Purple = royalty, for a king, queen or heir to a throne. That’s why we have purple in Advent.

By the way, these days, we take the availability of color for granted. So, for example, if you want your walls or window frames or shutters painted, you can purchase any color you want, including many shades of purple or violet on Main Street at the hardware or paint store. There is no upcharge for purple.

But, in the ancient world of Jesus of Nazareth, and ancient Advent, purple cloth or textile was very pricey. This ↑↑ expense wasn't due to inflation or the supply chain, but due to its scarcity, rarity. Only queens and kings in castles could afford such colors.

In the Passion / Crucifixion, after Jesus is convicted for his revolutionary status as King of the Jews, the Roman soldiers dress him up in – PURPLE. To the Roman soldiers, purple = “good joke”…. To Christians, purple = “good news.”

We retain purple at church in liturgy, in seriousness and solemnity because Jesus as our king.  As king, Jesus does not makes servants of us, but becomes a servant to us. Jesus is the Lamb led to the slaughter, who opens not his mouth.

In last Sunday's gospel, the good thief on the cross recognized Jesus as the true ruler. Though hanging on cross + crucified, Jesus was recognized by the “good thief” in words we are also called to pray with: “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Purple equals royalty and kingship.

 [__03_EARTH_]      “Purple” is also revolutionary and turns the world “upside down” in another way.

          Consider that purple – in nature and in the sky -- reminds us of the connection of the earth to the sun. Purple is often seen at sunset and at sunrise.

          So, rather than seeing darkness in the purple, consider it is solar/sun pattern.  Sometimes we may have to work a little bit harder to see the light.

Solar rays may be not be visible at all times, that does not mean they will not return.

Jesus’ light will return in the majesty of his 2^nd  coming. That will be a revolution too !

[__03_REPENTANCE _]      Purple is also the “revolutionary” color of repentance of sorrow for our sins.

Repentance is a special reminder for Advent, to go to confession, to receive a clean heart and to be right with God and neighbor. Know that we have confession on Saturday afternoons but that I am available by request to hear your confession when you wish.

The priest wears typically a purple vestment for confessions.

Why purple? Because we know that Jesus through his cross and resurrection remembers us in His Kingdom. We can turn back to Him.

[__04_REPENTANCE _]      Jesus reminds us to stay awake to live in His light and St. Paul – in Romans – gives us some practical strategies and sacrifices we can make to repent.

[St. Paul, Romans] Isn’t it true that when I say I am sorry I am invited to come into the light. Depending on what I have done, that light may seem harsh, like exiting a dark building / movie theater on a sunny day, but nevertheless the light is healthy and heals us.

Advent is meant to be healthy revolution and change.

Now in terms of Advent, it is expected that our celebration of Advent would be something of a revolution or a revolt or rebellion against the commercialization or the marketing of Christmas. There's darkness in the church liturgy of and Advent. But this is darkness is not à Black Friday but is all about Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

St. Paul is reminding us that it is revolutionary and sometimes difficult to repent, to be sorry.  There are examples and challenges.

1^st. DRUNKENNESS. It is important to note that we as Catholics do not require complete abstinence from alcohol.   But, in excess, it can be toxic not just physically but also spiritually toxic. It seems there also a connection between self-control in what we consume and drink and then our corresponding “honesty” and virtue. The opposite is also true – where there is vice, there is dishonesty in other areas. Being virtuous brings us into the light.

2^nd. LUST.  This is a big temptation these days due to images on the internet and availability of these images to persons of all ages.  Our battle against this is necessary because virtue in this area shows our respect not only for ourselves, but for our spouse, children …and even the spouse or child we have not met yet !  Virtue brings us into the light.

3^rd. RIVALRIES. Paul also refers to the danger of rivalries. Now, it's not just World Cup soccer or NFL football that can lead to rivalries and jealousies. It is family quarrels, or an unwillingness to forgive a past wrong/hurt.  But when we do forgive, we grow in virtue and service to each other, even to those we have regarded in the past as “enemies” Virtue brings us into the light.

The good news of the gospel is a wake up call to us a reminder that Jesus has freed us from our sin and invites us to follow him both in the darkness and in the light and to recognize that we do not have to be defeated by the darkness of sin.

St. Paul addresses this in the 2^nd reading today --- “it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.  For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;  the night is advanced, the day is at hand.  Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. “ (Romans 13: -)

[__05__]      I pray this Advent season is a revolution for you, a revolution to lead you  and us closer to Christ as our King, a revolution to remind us that his light is always shining, and a revolution of repentance to know His mercy.

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