Originally published at The Catholic Thing
In the movie Fiddler on the Roof, when the Jewish people in the fictional town of Anatevka are tragically evicted from their homes by the Russian government, one of them asks the town’s beloved rabbi: “Rabbi, we’ve been waiting all our lives for the Messiah. Wouldn’t this be a good time for Him to come?” To which the rabbi replies: “We’ll have to wait for him someplace else. Meanwhile, let’s start packing.”
Christians likely find it sad that there are those who don’t recognize the first coming of the Messiah, but we might also have deep respect for anyone who can say honestly that, in the midst of all the trials and tribulations, his or her life has been devoted to watching and waiting for the Messiah.
I hope I will not seem too much like a Grinch if I remind people that the Advent season isn’t only about the first coming of Christ. Anyone listening to the readings at Mass will know that the Church during this season is for the most part directing our attention to His advent at the end of time when “the Son of Man” will come in clouds with great power and glory. (Mark
