FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Cycle B)
First Reading: Isa 63:16b-17; 64:1. 3b-8
Psalm: 80. R. v. 4
Second Reading: 1Cor 1:3-9
Gospel: Mk 13: 33-37
Today is the First Sunday of Advent. And today we begin a New Year in the Church’s liturgical calendar. For Sunday readings, we are moving from Cycle A to Cycle B. While for weekday readings we move from Year I to Year II. The word “Advent” is from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” which is a translation of the Greek word ‘Parousia’. Advent is a season that we await the coming of Christ who comes to us in three ways: through his birth at Christmas, through the Word and Sacrament, and at his final coming.
‘Waiting’ necessitates watchfulness, fastidiousness and attentiveness. And so Jesus paints a beautiful picture in the gospel to illustrate the importance of imbibing these qualities. A man leaves his home entrusting it to the charge of his servants. His return will be unannounced; and for this reason, his servants should be on their toes by being watchful, meticulous in their duties, and attentive to his arrival. “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come.” (Mk 13:33).
For us to be better prepared for the coming of Christ, we need to align ourselves again to holiness of life. As the first reading taking from the prophet Isaiah reveals, we are always prone to take our own way and neglecting the ways of God. Iniquity has become the bread and wine that we eat and drink. But we should not forget that God is still our Father; we are the clay, and he is our potter. He remains the perfect one who can mould us into the image of his Son. This is why we must return to God asking for his mercy so as to be remoulded again.
The sacraments of the Church give us an enabling grace to be constantly watchful, careful in our choices, and attentive to the vices of the world. Each time we experience God both in the Word and Sacrament, we are strengthened and reawakened to the need to always be ready through holiness of life. As we reconcile with our God through the sacrament of confession in preparation for the Lord’s coming, let us remain docile to the grace of God at work in us. St Paul was grateful for the sake of this grace of God given to the church in Corinth through Christ Jesus. So should we be grateful to God by obeying his word in preparation for his coming.
When the Lord comes, may we be found ready to welcome him.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord Jesus, help us to amend our lives and prepare ourselves for your coming every day of our lives. Amen.
FR VALENTINE EGBUONU, MSP
First Reading: Isa 63:16b-17; 64:1. 3b-8
Psalm: 80. R. v. 4
Second Reading: 1Cor 1:3-9
Gospel: Mk 13: 33-37
Today is the First Sunday of Advent. And today we begin a New Year in the Church’s liturgical calendar. For Sunday readings, we are moving from Cycle A to Cycle B. While for weekday readings we move from Year I to Year II. The word “Advent” is from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” which is a translation of the Greek word ‘Parousia’. Advent is a season that we await the coming of Christ who comes to us in three ways: through his birth at Christmas, through the Word and Sacrament, and at his final coming.
‘Waiting’ necessitates watchfulness, fastidiousness and attentiveness. And so Jesus paints a beautiful picture in the gospel to illustrate the importance of imbibing these qualities. A man leaves his home entrusting it to the charge of his servants. His return will be unannounced; and for this reason, his servants should be on their toes by being watchful, meticulous in their duties, and attentive to his arrival. “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come.” (Mk 13:33).
For us to be better prepared for the coming of Christ, we need to align ourselves again to holiness of life. As the first reading taking from the prophet Isaiah reveals, we are always prone to take our own way and neglecting the ways of God. Iniquity has become the bread and wine that we eat and drink. But we should not forget that God is still our Father; we are the clay, and he is our potter. He remains the perfect one who can mould us into the image of his Son. This is why we must return to God asking for his mercy so as to be remoulded again.
The sacraments of the Church give us an enabling grace to be constantly watchful, careful in our choices, and attentive to the vices of the world. Each time we experience God both in the Word and Sacrament, we are strengthened and reawakened to the need to always be ready through holiness of life. As we reconcile with our God through the sacrament of confession in preparation for the Lord’s coming, let us remain docile to the grace of God at work in us. St Paul was grateful for the sake of this grace of God given to the church in Corinth through Christ Jesus. So should we be grateful to God by obeying his word in preparation for his coming.
When the Lord comes, may we be found ready to welcome him.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord Jesus, help us to amend our lives and prepare ourselves for your coming every day of our lives. Amen.
FR VALENTINE EGBUONU, MSP
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