First Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 3
Reading I
The days are coming, says the
LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
“The LORD our justice.”
Responsorial Psalm
R. (1b) To you, O Lord, I
lift my soul.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior,
and for you I wait all the day.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Reading II
Brothers and sisters:
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love
for one another and for all,
just as we have for you,
so as to strengthen your hearts,
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.
Finally, brothers and sisters,
we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,
as you received from us
how you should conduct yourselves to please God
and as you are conducting yourselves
you do so even more.
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us, Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
“Beware that your hearts do not
become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
The definition of HOPE is, “The expectation of things to come.” As Christians, we should be exuding a particular knowledge that Jesus Christ will come again and will bring with Him a new heaven and a new earth. This is a central aspect of our faith and should influence the way we conduct ourselves; living our lives with the knowledge that there is more to this world than what we see before our eyes. There is more to our existence than striving for material possessions and comforts. We are working towards a higher purpose with our thoughts and actions influenced by this purpose. This is part of what The Season of Advent is about. It is one of the shortest seasons of the church but is not reduced in importance because of that. Each Sunday for the next four weeks will be focused on particular aspects of our faith which we will immerse ourselves into through prayer and contemplation. Penance and good works are central themes of Advent and a recommittal to our faith, driven by the reminder that Christ will come again and there will be a final judgement.
Today the first candle of The Advent Wreath is lit. This is the Hope Candle. We are encouraged to embrace our hope in all things that come from God. We live our lives with God in the moment but also keep in mind that there are better things to come that are not of this earth and do not have their origins in society. Living in the moment, we foster our relationship with Jesus Christ and look forward to the day when we will join with Him forever. A certain confidence can be generated knowing that our God loves us so much that our entire existence will culminate in indescribable joy and love. We are destined for greatness and should live our lives with that knowledge and understanding. Each day should be an exercise in self-improvement to make ourselves worthy of what is being given to us. This is not done to earn what is being given to us but to conduct ourselves as ones who are journeying to an ultimate goal which will define us forever. Transforming ourselves in the moment, making the necessary corrections in our behavior, and being open to a relationship with God prepares us for our destination. This is all for our benefit. For it is through these actions that we become better people and live our lives the way God wanted us to, towards a goal of perfection.
The Apostle Paul speaks of The Lord making us increase and abound in love. This love is a reaction to His presence. When we let God in, we are then able to feel His presence and His love for us. This will cause us to act a certain way. Love becomes the foundation of all our thoughts and decisions. We can then interact with God, ourselves, and other people enveloped in this love which has its origin in God. We can become confident in our faith and in ourselves. This leads to an expectation of great things in our lives now and forever. The Love of God has the capability to give us a confidence and understanding of all things beyond our normal perceptions. With God in our lives there are no limit to what we can become and what we can experience. We should really set our aspirations around these things instead of constantly limiting ourselves by keeping God out. Letting God in is the key to greatness. Jesus reminds us in the Gospel Reading today to be vigilant and to live our lives in expectation of things to come. He warns us not to be caught off guard by the temptations of this world and put them before that which has its origins in God. That which comes from this world will pass away with this world. If we remain with God then He will remain with us. This puts us in a position not to fear that which is to come but instead embrace it with expectation and joy.
Deacon Tom
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