DAILY- HOMILY

NOVEMBER 29, 2009
1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT – C

JEREMIAH 33:14-16
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."

1 THESSALONIANS 3:12--4:2
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.

LUKE 21:25-28, 34-36
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."

REFLECTION
Another year just ended yesterday, that is, the liturgical year.
Today, we usher in the Season of Advent with all its symbols and
colors. The blessing of the Advent wreath during the mass symbolizes a
four-week preparation for the important season of Christmas, the birth
of our Lord Jesus Christ. But how can we deepen our understanding of
the Advent Season?

Advent has several meanings, such as, coming or arrival. It may also
suggest the notion of beginning like the introduction of technology.
But for Christians, it is the penitential season beginning four
Sundays before Christmas or the coming of Christ as the incarnation or
as judge on the last day. Most of us would associate Advent with the
second coming as we have seen how Christ became human.

How does one prepare oneself for this special season?

We can refer to the second reading, which is a prayer, expressly
directed to Christ the Lord, for the Thessalonians to grow in love
both for members of the community and those outside, the example of
which has been given by the apostolic missionaries themselves. This
growth in love is equated with holiness and is the guarantee of
deliverance and salvation at the Lord's return. The holy ones who are
present with Christ at his Second Coming are those faithful who have
died before it occurs.

Paul then enjoins constancy in their Christian manner. There is no
change of direction, only exhorting them to further growth. The elect
is to be clothed with the virtues of Christ as they look to Christ's
return.

Concretely, this may mean our capacity to look honestly into our lives
and see what areas we could possibly experience conversion.

In this season of Advent as we prepare for the coming of the Lord in
our lives, let it be a time for vigilance particularly in our
disposition to live holy lives by beginning to gradually let go of
certain attachments whether these pertain to material things or for
hurts and ill feelings that we continue to harbor in our hearts.
Rather, let the Lord enter into our lives more fully knowing that
this, in the end, is the essence of our life.

We pray for the grace of continual conversion, a turning back from
anything that enslaves us knowing that this is the best way to prepare
for the coming of the Lord Jesus this Christmas. Let us pray that the
coming of Christ may find us steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and
untiring in love.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the strength and healing of:
- Francis Torres
- Mon Torres
- Luis Torres
- Brenda Domingo-Solis
- Rita Cuerva
- Ely Lara
… for the personal intentions of
- Lawrence
- Mary Wong
- Patrick C.
.. Birthday: Josephine Chan
… for the victims of natural disasters
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Hsiao Chen Sheng
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Ma. Lena Pacheco del Rosario
- Birthday: Gilberto M. Duavit
- Birthday: Monina K. Lucas
… for the healing and peace of all families

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

**************************************************
Parish Priests' e-mail:
Fr. J. Cesar R. Marin, S. J. parishpriest@marythequeen.org

Assistant Parish Priests' e-mails:
Fr. R. Hart, S. J. rodneyhart@marythequeen.org
Fr. Thomas O'Gorman, S. J. thogorman@marythequeen.org
**************************************************

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