DAILY- HOMILY

November 29, 2015 – First SUNDAY OF ADVENT 

Cycle C, Violet  

Jer 33:14 -16  / 1 Thes 3:12 – 4: 2 / Lk 21:25 -28, 34-36

First Reading: Jer 33:14 -16  

     The days are coming when I shall fulfill the promise that I made in favor of Israel and Judah.

     In those days and at that time I will cause to sprout the shoot of righteousness from David's line; he will practice justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will experience salvation and Jerusalem will live in safety. He will be called Yahweh-Our-Righteousness."

Second Reading: 1 Thes 3:12 – 4: 2

     May the Lord increase more and more your love for each other and for all people, as he increases our love for you. May he strengthen you internally to be holy and blameless before God, our Father, on the day that Jesus, our Lord, will come with all his saints.

     For the rest, brothers, we ask you in the name of Jesus, the Lord, and we urge you to live in a way that pleases God, just as you have learned from us. This you do, but try to do still more. You know the instructions we gave you on behalf of the Lord Jesus.

Gospel: Lk 21:25 -28, 34 - 36 

     And Jesus said to his disciples, "Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of perplexed nations when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now, when you see the first events, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near.

     "Be on your guard; let not your hearts be weighed down with a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you suddenly as a trap. For it will come upon all the inhabitants of the whole world. But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is bound to happen and stand before the Son of Man."

Reflection:

     Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the start of a new liturgical year. Coming from the Latin word meaning arrival or coming, Advent is focused on the first coming of our Lord at his birth in Bethlehem and on his coming at the end of time.  Advent is a time of expectant waiting to celebrate the Lord who came as man and who will come again as judge and king.  

     The Gospel reading for today speaks of the end times and the second coming of the Lord. It speaks of signs in the heavens, of nations in tumult and of people in fright at the end of the world. One cannot but be afraid of the end times. We remember with fear natural disasters such as typhoons, floods and earthquakes; we have seen or heard of communities and homes washed away or destroyed, property and lives lost. Many, especially the young, who had lived through these natural disasters are traumatized and in fear of waters and winds. The government especially has urged the necessity of being ready and prepared when these disasters come.

     Similar to being prepared for natural calamities, Advent is a special time to prepare: to prepare and be thankful for the first coming of God as man and, more especially, to be ready for the Lord's second coming. When he comes as Judge, at a time we do not know, we will be made accountable for our lives, for what we did or did not do, for whether we lived or not with love for God and our neighbor. It is indeed very important that we be always ready, and, as Jesus says in the Gospel reading, that we "watch at all times and pray that we may be able to escape all that is bound to happen and to stand before the Son of Man."

     Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation and anticipation, of preparation and hope.  In an article, "The Season of Advent: Anticipation and Hope," writer Dennis Bratcher says, "It is that hope, however faint at times, and that God, however distant He sometimes seems, which brings to the world the anticipation of a King who will rule with truth and justice and righteousness over His people and in His creation. It is that hope that once anticipated, and now anticipates anew, the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world."

     When the Lord comes – and he will come, will we be able to stand erect with heads raised because redemption is at hand or will we have our heads bowed in embarrassment and shame?

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     GILBERT M. DUAVIT

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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