＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Isaiah 63:16b-17,19b; 64:2-7

For you are our Father,

 

Whereas Abraham does not know us nor has Israel any knowledge of us. But you, O Yahweh, are our Father, from the beginning, you are our redeemer: this is your name.

Why have you made us stray from your ways? Why have you let our heart become hard so that we do not fear you? Re­turn for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance. For too long we have become like those you do not rule, like those who do not bear your name.

 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down! The mountains would quake at your presence.  Let them witness your stunning deeds.  No one has ever heard or perceived, no eye has ever seen a God besides you who works for those who trust in him. 

 You have confounded those who acted righteously and who joyfully kept your ways in mind. You are angry with our sins, yet conceal them and we shall be saved.  All of us have become like the un­clean; all our good deeds are like polluted garments; we have all withered like leaves, blown away by our iniquities.  

There is no one who calls upon your name, no one who rouses himself to lay hold of you. For you have hidden your face, you have given us up to the power of our evil acts. And yet, Yahweh, you are our Father; we are the clay and you are our potter; we are the work of your hand.

 

Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19(4)

Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

1Corinthians 1:3-9

 Receive grace and peace from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord.  I give thanks constantly to my God for you and for the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus. For you have been fully enriched in him with words as well as with knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you.

You do not lack any spiritual gift and only await the glorious coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord. He will keep you stead­fast to the end, and you will be with­out reproach on the day of the coming of our Lord Jesus. The faithful God will not fail you after calling you to this fellowship with his Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Read:

Our readings on the first Sunday of Advent invite us to confess our sins and beg for Divine mercy. Israel in the first reading beat their breast in contrition as from their situation of exile in Babylon they recognize that they had been unfaithful to their covenant with God.

Now they beg for his mercy. The Psalmist expresses our plea that God’s anger may end that his mercy may once again may be experienced. The Gospel reminds us that judgment day will be upon us though we do not know when. The present time is a time to prepare for it. The best preparation is to repent and beg for mercy.

Reflect:

Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year. The liturgy reminds us of the “end time” when Jesus, who came the first time to reveal God’s mercy will come a second time to judge us all. We better be prepared for that time. Thus, we are always “advent people,” that is people who await the return of our Lord and Master!

Pray:

The liturgical color is purple. It reminds us of the need to confess our sins and at the same time beg for Divine mercy. The time given us before judgment day is time to be ready for the second coming of Christ. The prayer of Advent is “Maranatha” (Come Lord Jesus!) We pray for the coming of Jesus.

Act:

We pray “Maranatha”(Come Lord Jesus!)it is a prayer of joyful hope!