FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT NOVEMBER 28, 2021

The first purple candle is the "Prophecy Candle", recalling the prophets who foretold the birth of Jesus Christ. We are filled with Hope or Expectation of the coming Messiah.

MASS READINGS

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

REFLECTION

Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

During Thanksgiving many grandkids were together, wound up with the freedom to play with cousins, grandparents and eat whatever they wanted. Yet in spite of this confusing scene, the supervising adults still kept an eye on their own brood but also the other kids that at times were hard to find. There was so much anticipation preparing for large families to gather. At the end of the Thanksgiving visit the host/hostess could look back and see if they were prepared for food, accommodations and games to play.

We now find ourselves in the first day of Advent : a season of expectation. We prepare more joyously for the birth of Jesus Christ. But we are also reminded that Advent is also a time of preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus. We might not be part of the end of the world, but we do travel with the knowledge that the end of the world has been foretold in the bible and by Jesus. And so we prepare and pray that we are competent and willing to let the Holy Spirit guide us and supervise us as we prepare to be ready for the Lord.

All this past week we are reminded of these apocalyptic times. Be prepared. Pray, pray and allow the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we do meet Our Lord, will He be able to say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant."

God Bless You