Homily for the 1st Thursday of Advent
According to a post in the Urban Dictionary, the phrase “Lordy, Lordy” was used by older generations as an exclamation of surprise, exasperation, or other strong emotion:
Child: Nana, what’s love like?
Great-Grandmother: Oh lordy lordy, you are too young to be asking that question. Don’t fall in love with boys yet; if they try to kiss you just sock them in the nose. Lordy, what’s your mother teaching you?
It is also picked up today by teenagers primarily from the US Eastern seaboard. So it’s making a comeback.
Maybe this phrase goes as far back as the time of Jesus. I think of it every time I read this passage:
Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Mt 7:21)
In the time of Jesus, “Lord, Lord,” was a title of respect for a teacher, as one might say reverently, twice for emphasis, “Master. Master.” Jesus is saying the true disciple of Jesus must not only claim him as Teacher but put the teaching into practice.
But Jesus might have anticipated that generations to follow would say, “Lord, Lord” but not live it. Many would profess a following to Christ, but not put his teaching into practice.
In the gospel of Luke, Jesus is a little more blunt. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and don’t do what I say?” (Lk 6:46)
There are two parts to following the teaching of Jesus. One must first hear the teaching and then obey it. Jesus says as much in the response he offers the woman who told Jesus his mother was blessed. He countered with this, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Lk 11:28) There are two verbs in this little beatitude: hear and obey. To put the teaching of Jesus into practice means we must first hear what Jesus is saying. To do what the Lord says means listening to the voice of the Lord speaking to you.
What is the Lord saying to you this Advent?
Advent is a season with many themes. Waiting, preparation, expectation. It is also a season of listening. Listening as John the Baptist did alone in the desert. Listening as Mary did with the angel Gabriel. Listening as her cousin Elizabeth did when the infant leaped in her womb. Listening as Joseph did in a dream. The pivotal players in Advent were above all good listeners. They opened their hearts to hear what the lord has to say.
All of these Advent figures listened to what the Lord was saying. From careful listening, the did what they understood to be the will of the Father. John went on to baptize. Mary said, “Be it done according to your word.” Elizabeth blessed Mary. Joseph took Mary as his wife.
Spend some time this Advent listening to that voice, speaking to the circumstances of your life or in the movements of your heart. Instead of “Lordy, Lordy”, maybe our Advent refrain needs to be “Listen. Listen.”