First Sunday of Advent

Nov 28, 2021 | Ministries

From Jspaluch©, November 28th, 2021

WATCHFUL CONFIDENCE

We the Church enter into Advent and the new liturgical year with a call for a watchful confidence. Our readings were originally addressed to communities undergoing great loss and confusion. Jeremiah speaks confidently of God fulfilling the ancient promises to Israel, even during a time of foreign invasion. Paul speaks of God leading the Church into holiness, while the community longs for the coming of Jesus. In the Gospel passage from Luke, Jesus speaks of powerful signs and of great confusion to come, but emphasizes that we may look forward knowing that God brings not cause for despair, but hope. We celebrate Advent to remind each other of God’s faithfulness. We are to be watchful, to see how God is stirring up our world. God disturbs both our pride and our complacency, and brings us healing and justice. We prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus, confident that God indeed fulfills all these divine promises.

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — The days are coming when the Lord will fulfill the promise made to Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 33:14-16).

Psalm — To you, O Lord, I lift my soul (Psalm 25).

Second Reading — May the Lord make you increase and abound in love that you may be blameless in holiness; conduct yourselves so as to please God

(1 Thessalonians 3:12 — 4:2).

Gospel — There will be signs and you will see the Son of Man coming with power and great glory. Be vigilant (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36).

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11

Tuesday: Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 4:18-22

Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37

Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a;

Mt 7:21, 24-27

Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31

Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6;

Mt 9:35 — 10:1, 5a, 6-8

Sunday: Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: First Sunday of Advent; Hanukkah begins

Tuesday: St. Andrew, Apostle

Wednesday: World AIDS Awareness Day

Thursday: St. Francis Xavier

Friday: St. John Damascene; First Friday

Saturday: First Saturday

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

First Sunday of Advent

Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Reflection question:

What righteous deeds would I be able to bring with me if Christ returned this week?

GREATNESS

The measure of greatness is not the number of servants you have, but the number of people you serve.

—Anonymous

THE THREE COMINGS OF ADVENT

There are three distinct comings of the Lord of which I know, His coming to humankind, His coming into humankind, and His coming against humankind.

—St. Bernard: Third Sermon for Advent