DAILY- HOMILY

NOVEMBER 27, 2011
1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT – YEAR I

Is 63:16-17, 19 / Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 / 1 Cor 1:3-9 / Mk 13:33-37

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. As when fire sets brushwood ablaze and causes water to boil,
make the nations know your name, and your enemies tremble. 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.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:3–9
Brothers and sisters, 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.

MARK 13:33-37
Jesus said to his disciples, "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: watch."

REFLECTION
What is it that we are watching out for? What do we believe are we
being called for vigilance? Depending on one's situation, this will
vary. For the investment brokers, they are closely monitoring the
movements of stock prices. For the housewife, she is looking for
bargains with regard to her groceries and giveaways for Christmas
presents. For those without gainful employment, these are eagerly
anticipating openings for possible work.

Clearly, depending on what one finds important, valuable, and is
expected of, that will be what one will be vigilant about. This theme
of vigilance or watching captures the essence of Advent which ushers
in a New Year for us Catholic Christians. And what is it that the
Church wants us to watch out for? It is this: How real or present is
Jesus in our lives?

Advent means the beginning. All of us like to have fresh starts and
new beginnings. Every day is considered a blessing as it allows us to
start anew. More so, with the Advent season when the Church ushers in
a new Liturgical year, our perennial question is how have we
progressed in our relationship with Jesus? The Glast Sunday on Christ
the King which focused on Judgment Day from Matthew 25 clearly spells
out how we have treated the least ones who all represent Jesus. Have
we responded with generosity and enthusiasm to those who have
approached us in their need?

This Advent season then becomes a gentle reminder as we begin a new
Church year when Jesus commands us to watch out vigilantly for his
Christmas coming and his final coming.

Vigilance and waiting come naturally to those in love (see Sg 3:1-3).
The loving father of the prodigal son waited and watched out for his
boy's return. Simeon loved God and so waited vigilantly in the temple
for the appearance of the Infant Jesus (Lk 2:26ff). Jesus, who is Love
(1 Jn 4:8), waited several decades in the obscurity of Nazareth until
the right time to begin his public ministry. We'll wait enough for
what we love enough.

To be able to love then may be reason for us to be grateful. In this
regard, the second reading from Paul's letter to the Corinthians is
fit ting for it speaks of the theme of gratitude. Beginning with his
customary greetings, Paul highlights the graciousness of God who
continues to bestow gifts to all who desire to be saved. Peace is the
fruit of salvation God gives in Christ. It includes the forgiveness of
sins and reconciliation with God as well as harmony among all. For all
of these, we cannot but be grateful knowing full well that perfect
peace will be realized only at the Parousia, when Christ's redemptive
work is completed.

As we start the season of Advent, let us then look at our lives and
see what we are excited about. What is it that we want to be vigilant
about? Will we be like the servants in the Gospel eagerly awaiting for
the return of the master?

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of Susan
… for the successful result of the BAR examinees of Ateneo Law School
Batch 2011
… for the personal intentions of
- Veronica Yap
- Josheil Dapo
- Pal, Blues, Fonzi, Alon, Mygirl, Albi, Lordgin, Rachel Marquez
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Lusan Yao
- Birthday: Mila Grace M. Cipriano
- Birthday: Justin Tanhui
- Wedding Anniversary: Jobert & Lee Ochoa
- Prayer Intention: Jeremy L. Gotamco
- In Memoriam (+): Armand V. Fabella
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

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!

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