Daily Reflection – Dec 3, 2017
Sunday 3 December 2017
First Reading: IS 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7
Responsorial Psalm:
Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
PS 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Second Reading: 1 COR 1:3-9
Gospel Reading: MK 13:33-37
Today’s Note: First Sunday of Advent
Gospel Reading:
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:
Be watchful! Be alert! (Mark 13:33)
It’s the First Sunday of Advent, and you have just received an invitation: The Most High God requests the honor of your presence at the entry of his Son into the world. This unprecedented event will be followed by a joyous celebration in two locations: heaven and earth. The event will take place on December 25, and you are encouraged to spend the next four weeks preparing for the festivities.
Welcome to Advent—a season of hope and expectation! Over the course of the next month, you may be part of family gatherings. You might reenact time-honored traditions: buying gifts, decorating homes, and preparing special meals.
And to crown all these observances, Jesus himself will come and visit you. As today’s Gospel tells us, we may not know when he is coming, but he promises he will come. Even now, he is looking for new ways to touch your heart. Right now, he is preparing special gifts of grace and blessing for you—Advent and Christmas presents that he will give as you open your heart to him.
What kind of gifts will he give? Reminders of his Father’s love. A sense of hope as you face life’s challenges. New insights and wisdom that you can share with your loved ones. Freedom from guilt as you lay your sins and failings at his feet. And above all, peace and joy as he tells you that he has you in the palm of his hand.
So take up his invitation today! Do everything you can to be alert and ready to receive Jesus and his gifts. Try to spend a little more time in daily prayer and Scripture reading. Go to Confession so that you can get rid of anything that blocks you from receiving his love and his gifts.
Jesus wants to celebrate with you. And he’s given you a whole month to get ready! Step by step, day by day, you can draw closer to the Lord—and feel him draw closer to you!
“Jesus, I accept your invitation. By your Spirit and your grace, help me to get ready for your coming on Christmas Day.”
