Advent begins today.

Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.

O Lord, help to recognise you

Those who "wait" for the Lord will not be disappointed.

He will surely come with his grace and saving help.

 

＊＊＊ 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. But 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.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

1 Corinthians 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 ＊＊＊＊      

Mark 13:33-37

Be alert and watch, for you don't know when the time will come. When a man goes abroad and leaves his home, he puts his servants in charge, giving to each one some responsibility; and he orders the doorkeeper to stay awake. So stay awake, for you don't know when the Lord of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight, when the cock crows or before dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him catch you asleep. And what I say to you, I say to all: Stay awake!"

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Be alert and watch, for you don't know when the time will come."

Read: The prophet Isaiah begs God the Father to establish his kingdom on earth, trusting that God will care for his people. Paul reminds the Corinthians that their faith has prepared them for Jesus' return and will keep them steadfast until that day. Jesus cautions his disciples to be ready to greet the Lord when he comes again.

 

Reflect: On the first Sunday of Advent, the priest began his homily by asking the assembly a question: If you knew that today would be the last day of your life, what would you do differently? My plans for the day were simple. I went to Mass and spent the rest of the day writing messages in my Christmas cards.

 

If it had been the last day of my life, I can't think of a better way to spend it than praying and telling those dear to me how much I love them.

As we begin the season of Advent, reflect on what you would change about your life if you knew that Jesus was coming back soon. Since we don't know the day of his coming, start living as if the day is today.

 

Pray: Lord, help me to stay awake to your presence in my life.

 

Act: Each night, reflect on how you encountered God that day.