FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

• The first candle symbolizes hope and is called the "Prophet’s Candle." The prophets of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival. The purple color symbolizes royalty, repentance, and fasting.

MASS READINGS:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

REFLECTION: May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!

We begin the journey of Advent. We are given this time to prepare for the coming of our salvation, in the humility of a poor cold baby.

Today we start with the awareness that this Child will save us, and we ask Him to come and fill us with His grace.

Amidst 2020 we want to patiently wait with hope in God, not overwhelmed nor distracted by the worldly celebration of Christmas to be.

Be watchful and attentive in this world. But be not discouraged, listless nor hopeless. The anticipation of the celebration of Baby Jesus is more than that; it is the path set aside by God for us to follow, in faith and love, for eternal happiness.

Jesus will meet us this Christmas while we face hardships of countless trials, sickness and even death. He will meet us with our crosses as He begins His journey toward Calvary.

Thus we cannot fall asleep, but be constantly alert and on watch through prayer and works of mercy to find God in our daily life.

God Bless You