First Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 2
Reading 1
You, LORD, are our father,
our redeemer you are named forever.
Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways,
and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?
Return for the sake of your servants,
the tribes of your heritage.
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
with the mountains quaking before you,
while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for,
such as they had not heard of from of old.
No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you
doing such deeds for those who wait for him.
Would that you might meet us doing right,
that we were mindful of you in our ways!
Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful;
all of us have become like unclean people,
all our good deeds are like polluted rags;
we have all withered like leaves,
and our guilt carries us away like the wind.
There is none who calls upon your name,
who rouses himself to cling to you;
for you have hidden your face from us
and have delivered us up to our guilt.
Yet, O LORD, you are our father;
we are the clay and you the potter:
we are all the work of your hands.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face
and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R. Lord,
make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord,
make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord,
make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Reading II
Brothers and sisters:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always on your account
for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge,
as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift
as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will keep you firm to the end,
irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful,
and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
Today we celebrate a New Year in the Church’s Liturgical Calendar. Today is the beginning of the Season of Advent. It can be argued that this is one the most misunderstood seasons of The Church and one that many Christians do not pay attention to in comparison to others seasons such as Christmas, Lent, and Easter. This does not make it any less important but possibly, in comparison, more important if we are to live our lives with Jesus Christ. It presents an opportunity to better ourselves and our relationship with Jesus. Advent comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming or arrival.” It is in reference to the Second Coming of Our Lord Savior Jesus Christ. It is not, as many perceive, a preparation for Christmas and the celebration of The Birth of Jesus but more as a time of contemplation and review of where we are now in our faith-life. We are encouraged to critique ourselves and pray on our spiritual status; asking if we are ready to receive Jesus Christ if He were to come again right now at this very moment. We are also encouraged to review all that has transpired in the past year regarding our spiritual journey while examining what we have done and what we have failed to do. We are asked to examine our Christian Conduct critically while making a commitment to improve in areas that we have fallen short. Advent centers around our personal relationship with Jesus Christ and how we have either grown in that respect or have reverted back into habits and behavior which just might endanger ourselves and others.
This can be viewed as a season where we are the center of attention. In comparison to the other seasons of the Church Adventi s one where the individual takes a special importance over the community. It is all about us. It is a time of prayer, fasting, and an extreme focus on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In many ways we are judging ourselves and holding ourselves accountable for our actions. We are instructed to acknowledge the good things we have done, including our spiritual progress, while recommitting ourselves to dispelling all that is bad. It is a reset of sort that encourages us to make the necessary adjustments in our lives so as to strengthen our relationship with Jesus. It is all about us and Jesus Christ. Confession, prayer, worship, and acts of charity are a necessity during this time. Whatever we have been doing that is good and whatever we are doing not too well must be improved upon. We are focusing on perfection even thought nothing is perfect except God.
The Advent Wreath was created to help us on this journey; encouraging us to focus on certain aspects of our faith and to deepen our understanding of the season. We have four candles to consider: 3 that are purple in nature and one that is rose. They are lit individually with each representing a particular Sunday within the season when that day comes to pass. The first Sunday of Advent is marked by the Hope Candle. Hope is defined as, “The Expectation of things to come.” We as Christians have the expectation and knowledge that Jesus Christ will indeed come again in all of His glory to judge the living and the dead. This is a tenement of our faith and drives us forward as Christians. We should be in a constant process of preparation and adjustments which should effect all of our actions, thoughts, and relations. We are living in this world but are separate from society in that respect. Our focus should be on Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him. If we truly believe that Jesus Christ will come again then we must be prepared. There should be no fear attached to this. There should be excitement and expectation. Whatever has happened and is happening in this life is nothing in comparison to what we will experience once our corporal life has ended. With that in mind we go forward with the comforting knowledge that the best is yet to come. Nothing can satisfy us more than a relationship with Jesus Christ. If our dedication and thoughts have been clouded with the temptations of society it is during this time that we can concentrate our energies on dispersing these clouds and readjusting our priorities.
During this season there will be a lot of attention on the writings of the Prophet Isaiah who is arguably one of the greatest prophets and provides us a lot of guidance on what God asks of us and how we should approach God. God loves us and He longs for us to enter into a deep relationship with him. We were created to love and, because of this, love is central to our existence. To be loved and to love is the key to indescribable joy. In the Scripture Reading today there is an acknowledgement of who God is: He is our Lord and our Father. This defines how we should approach Him. He is our Father and He is our creator. He is perfect while we remain imperfect because of our constant state of rebellion we find ourselves in which causes us so much pain and discord. Even though we might have these struggles there is an understanding that He can relieve our pain by us focusing on Him and allowing Him to do the work within us to repair what we have broken. As Jesus says,
“Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
There is an act of surrendering and acknowledgment which is required. To encounter God the way He intended us to we have to first get out of our own way. The way to do this is by going back to the basics: God is our Father. He created us out of love. He loves us and asked us to love Him. He loves us so much that He sent His only Begotten Son to suffer and die for us so that we may obtain eternal life. Jesus Christ will return in all of His glory to judge the living and the dead. We have heard this continuously throughout our lives but hearing and acknowledging are two different things. When something is acknowledged it can then become a powerful influence in our lives. This means a constant surrendering and understanding of those same fundamentals. It is then where we can embrace hope: the expectations of things to come.
Our relationship with Jesus Christ has the ability to enrich all of our experiences and make everything better. To those who think that their lives are completely fine without a spiritual aspect to it are missing out. Being the Son of God and the gate that we pass through to experience the Father, means that just by accepting Him superimposes the Christ-Experience on our personal experiences and lifts them up to the highest of heights. This prepares us for an encounter with the Father through which all things were brought into existence. Nothing can substitute that which the Father offers us and that is where we can truly define hope.
Jesus tells us to be constantly watchful and alert. No one knows the day nor the hour when the Son of Man is to return. This does not serve as a warning or a command. It is advice from Jesus. To live a joyful life the proper amount of attention needs to be given this. If we forget about the Coming of the Son of Man then we forget about what He is offering us. Hope then can readily fade because without thought there is no expectation. With no expectation there is no readiness and then we are easily distracted by the evils of the world which will lead us away from joy to misery. Jesus Christ leads us away from misery; out of the darkness and into the light.The light is where we belong; immersed in the Love of God.
Deacon Tom
A LETTER FROM KATE
Let us begin with a prayer to the Holy Spirit , our Comforter , our Advocate
and Guide :
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful . Kindle in us the fire of
your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created . And You renew the
face of the earth.
Advent is a time of preparation and begins at this time , and in the chaos of
everyday life that tries to drown the Spirit. Ask God for their safe help, we
will turn to Him in love, because He is our peace .
We faithful souls are animated by the Holy Mother Church during this Advent
season to do the following : 1. prepare themselves worthily to celebrate the
anniversary of the Lord's coming into the world as the incarnate God of love ,
2. his soul an appropriate dwelling for the Redeemer coming in Holy Communion
and through grace , 3. yourself ready for final coming as judge, at death and
at the end of the world .
I do not think there is a correspondence between these imperatives Advent and
our fundamental purpose as defined by the Catechism : to know God , love God
and serve God . I'll tell our tasks advent of our soul's journey to God to
explain as best I can . Bearing in mind that the only reason for any of it : is
that our joy may be complete , and together we can become one with God , who
loves us.
Knowing God
First, in order to prepare themselves worthily to celebrate , we must clearly
understand what we are celebrating . This means we are called to come to know
Jesus, the incarnate God of love. I encourage you, dear brothers , first ask
God to know Him . To know God is to know that He loves you infinitely and
personally like you're the only man ever created . Ask God to show you again
how much I want, go deep in the center of your heart and wait for your answer
there. He will answer you. The most important things about God is that He
desperately wants relationship with you. The words He speaks to us in the
Scriptures are in the people around us and diaries - the events of each day -
even mundane and boring. In a homily I heard once, the father said in the
Scriptures God speaks again and again these three things : 1. " I am with
you ." Two . " I love you , and I am to you . " Three . "I
will never forsake you ." These things God says in the tireless love for
us in patience and gentleness and compassion. He is my best friend and
strongest ally . Go to Jesus for all , especially the little things. He is more
interested in the smallest details of your life than you. Pray to Him, spend
time with him . Listen to your voice that speaks in the silence of your heart.
Talk to him as a dear friend, ask your questions , we ask that meets your
needs. He does! It does so in a way that is for your own good , in a way that
can not wait. Let God meet you in the way that is best for you , trust that He
knows what you need. Spend time reading the Scriptures , where God's voice
speaking to you personally. The Word of God is living and active , to discern
the movements of the heart. It is certain that He speaks , but must listen .
Willingness to listen , ask to listen. God , your Father will take care of the
rest. Persevere in your relationship with God , I beg you. The other advice you
offer in your relationship with God is that we look at the amount you need.
It's true: we are all we need but we are created this way helpless , and is to
be accepted. It's in their need for fulfillment and happiness and joy and
nourishment and encouragement that God is calling you , "Come to me, I can
give you rest from your need to give everything I have for you, for you. "
Let me draw, go to Him, He is your infinite joy.
The Love of God
Paul we hear these words : You are the temple of the Holy Spirit , do not you
know that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? When you're alone , go deeper
into your center , you find God there. God , who loved us first! He dwells in
us and waiting with infinite patience and love! One who died for us in love and
remains with us forever! In response to this great love , we must love ! For
love is paid only by love, as St. John of the Cross says . To do this the soul
of a home setting must only receive God in love, and let Him dwell within and
He is pleased to do. Allow Him into your heart free rein , as if the house of
his heart was God and there was only a guest in it! A guest in your own heart!
This is best for you, because God knows what he is doing , he will make himself
like : love. Let God set his heart on fire with the love He has for you. Our
small part in loving God is our love for Him and our desire to love Him , and
our allowing him to do what he wants . We know what he likes , He has told us
in the Scriptures. It is easy to love because He first loved us and only us
wants to do good . Pray to God, " Lord , I love you , help my lack of love
! " Sit as His feet and listen as the Magdalene . Let Him show you His way
of Love and Light and Joy . Encourage him in his quest to become a living love
to participate in the Sacraments call: confess your sins to God for Him to
forgive you and restore your peace ! Eat his body , drink his blood in the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass : in this way , He will transform itself effectively .
This union is not one to shy away but desire ardently : it still being yourself
and what you receive and participate in the divine life of love. In this union
only makes your heart break . Loving God in her prayer , that is, in their
relationship with him. Ask for all your needs ; rejoice and give thanks. He
gives generously , he comes looking for him, he comes to heal ! Being with Him
in prayer , He heals you . Just to look at it! This look toward Jesus, He heals
us . Oh Lord , oh love! How much do I need to be healed ! I throw myself into
your arms loving and merciful , You are my refuge.
Serving God
My Jesus, You come to us to judge at the end of this life and the end of time .
How do I have fear of being judged based on my merits ! I deserve hell only if
you judge me by my thoughts , my words, my actions. Thanks be to God , you is
forgiveness and mercy . In love, I wish to serve . Not because I want merit,
but because I love you and want to please you. "I trust that my desire to
please You are in fact please you " (Thomas Merton ) . To serve you is
just to show my love for You . It comes naturally to hear from you : your
suggestions of loving-kindness can do for another, as you have so funny to me!
I have no need of merit , I do not need you to protect me , my loving Father. I
see my all, and I see that my nothing is what you want ! I abandon myself into
your soft arms , and care for me . I would always be in their company sweet and
delicious , so I listen to you, I hope in Thee : Behold the handmaid of the
Lord , be it unto me according to your word ! How I love you ! How I wish you,
please! Mary, my mother! Pray for me : you, spouse of the Holy Spirit , you're
my tender and loving mother ! Everything is fine when I am under your
protection , give me your Son Adorable . On the evening of this life, as St.
John of the Cross says that we shall be judged on love alone . Therefore , I
pray :Love! Every moment is an opportunity to choose love or indifference !
Choose Love ! Ask for help: he gives himself completely to you. Give yourself
completely to Him! One who came as a tender child, let Him guide you in what He
calls you to . Let me teach you to love your brother. Ask God in prayer that
His mission is for you , he tells you ! And you will feel alive knowing he has
to do this special work. You are called to be holy , you are called to love! To
carry out what God has given you to do, which is exactly where you are ! , Are
glorifying an aspect of God that no one else has been called to glorify . Every
human life is responsible for displaying all mankind and the angels a
particular attribute of God. It is a great confidence that God is in us a great
love God has for us, a great our responsibility that no one is free ! I
encourage you : surrender to God so that He can carry out this work in you!
My dear brethren, fear nothing : God is with you , God is for you, God loves
you infinitely . God will never leave you . ( Pray for me, my brothers. )
KATE
My Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The Prophet Isaiah tells us in the first reading today: “No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him. Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways!”
This is the theme of Advent and we can deepen our awareness of God’s love for us by living this awareness of God throughout Advent this year. “Watch.” We want God to find us always doing what is right, always mindful of Him in our ways. We can only do that if we take time to be with Him each day.
The Prophet Isaiah reminds us in the first reading that there is no God like our God. Sometimes we think that there are no competing gods today. Instead, we can open our eyes and see so many realities competing to be god, so many people who play at being god, and so many values that seem godlike to the present age.
It is important that we realize that only faithfulness to the One, True God will bring us peace and a wonderful human life. Faith never promises to make us wealthy or powerful—it actually promises the opposite. What faith does promise is that our life will be filled with joy in knowing the Lord and living His divine life.
The second reading on this First Sunday of Advent is from the First Letter to the Corinthians. In this letter we can focus on these words: “God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” God is faithful. We are not faithful, but God remains faithful. God calls us to fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. We are called to share the life of Jesus Christ. Again we can reflect that living the life of Jesus Christ means to embrace poverty, to accept suffering, to serve all others and especially those who reject us. Sharing in this life brings incredible joy, even when it does not bring immediate happiness—which is what our world wants us to seek.
The Gospel from Saint Mark reminds us once again: keep alert and keep watching for the Lord! It is so easy today to accept the values of the world. At times those values seem even more compassionate than Gospel values. We have to recognize that doing right is not the same as feeling good about ourselves or about others. One of the great gods of our time is the demand that we always feel good, that we seek momentary happiness, above the values of the Gospel and the Scriptures.
May this Advent deepen our faith and help us understand and live what the Scriptures reveal to us. May we find ourselves drawn deeper into the heart of the Church founded by Jesus Christ. It is not easy to stand against the false gods of our time, but we have receive the invitation to walk with the Lord Jesus. Let us walk into His light.
Your brother in the Lord,
Abbot Philip
