In our first reading the Prophet Isaiah looks forward to the Day of the Lord.  The manifesting of God’s Kingdom will have a two-fold effect.  Peoples from all over the world will flock to Jerusalem and the Temple to acknowledge the one true God as their King.  Secondly the acceptance of God’s reign will bring about justice and peace.  He encourages his listeners to prepare for this day by walking in the light of the Lord here and now.  In St Matthew’s Gospel Our Lord adds a note of urgency.  Judgement implies discernment, even discrimination.  It is essential that we are ready for God’s coming so that he will not find us wanting or unprepared.  Since we do not know when that day will be we must be ready at this moment.  Our Lord does not say these words as a threat but simply because they are the truth and because it matters whether we are ready to meet God face to face.  Advent is a time of preparation.  We reflect on the meaning of his First Coming two thousand years ago in order to be ready to meet him now.