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Our Sunday Reflection - December 3, 2023 - First Sunday of Advent
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Be watchful! You do not know when the Lord of the house is coming.
Mark 13:33-37
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Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day
Bombarded with Christmas decorations and music for weeks now, we are undoubtedly already anticipating the celebration of our Savior’s birth. But today we are reminded that Christ’s coming was not a single, one-time-only event. In the Gospel Jesus warns us that he will come again when we least expect. He is referring to the end of the world, but in truth he can also come to us in our hearts at any time: during a traumatic event, in a chance encounter with a stranger, or even through someone who’s prematurely spreading the Christmas spirit. May we remain vigilant for our Lord’s coming in whatever way or whatever time it may happen.Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
“Watch!” The final word of today’s Gospel binds together our readings on this first Sunday of Advent. Isaiah watched for the LORD, anticipating that one day God would come down from the heavens and rescue the Chosen People. Paul exhorted the Corinthians to be watchful for the day when the Lord would return. Jesus himself compared the Second Coming to the head of the house returning at a time you least expect. May God’s word remind us to wait watchfully for the Lord.Reflections
- Isaiah pleads with God to “rend the heavens and come down,” and rescue those who have wandered and move the hearts of the stubborn (63:19). For Christians, Jesus is God’s response to Isaiah’s prayer. He is the Good Shepherd, pursuing the lost sheep. He is the teacher, teaching us mercy and forgiveness. May we realize the gift we have in Jesus, our greatest Christmas gift, whom God sent to redeem us all.
- A few weeks ago we heard the parable of the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom, five who foolishly brought no oil with them for their lamps. The lesson from that Gospel can be applied to today’s as well. Be prepared. Be patient. Plan ahead because delays happen. The wise servants in today’s Gospel do exactly that, accomplishing their work so they are ready whenever the master returns, but waiting patiently because it may be a while. May we be reminded that our period of preparation does not end on December 25, for the Lord comes in different ways to different folks, not just as an infant child on Christmas Day. Let us make ourselves ready, whether it’s today or years from now.
- Contrasting these two stories, in today’s Gospel each servant has different work to do. Some may have difficult or time-consuming tasks while others have lighter ones. So it is with us. We cannot truly know the amount of work or amount of time our neighbor must put in to prepare or keep watch. Instead of comparing ourselves to our neighbor, we should offer to help.
Question of the Week
What will I do this week to prepare for Christ’s coming, knowing that it may happen at any time?
-from Pastoral Patterns
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readings of the mass
LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, December 3, 2023
SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, December 3, 2023
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Offerings
The Sunday offerings are a portion of our blessings that we give to God (Church) in gratitude to what God has done for us...ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS -
Reflections on the readings
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News from the Vatican
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