Dec 1 2019 Reflection

Sunday 1 December 2019

First Reading: IS 2:1-5
Responsorial Psalm:
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
PS 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: ROM 13:11-14
Gospel Reading: MT 24:37-44

Today’s Note: First Sunday of Advent

Gospel Reading:

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left. 
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left. 
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. 
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Reflection:

You also must be prepared. (Matthew 24:44)

This is it—we have lit the first Advent candle. Christmas is less than four weeks away, so we need to get ready. If we plan on giving gifts, sending Christmas cards, or having guests over for Christmas dinner, now is the time to start planning.

Jesus is saying something similar in today’s Gospel reading, but with a different focus: “Get ready; you don’t know when I will come again!” 

So how can we prepare ourselves for Jesus’ coming, both at Christmas and at the Second Coming? Here’s one idea: just as you give Christmas gifts to your friends and family, think of a gift you could give the Christ child. Here are some possibilities.

• Set aside an hour each week to sit before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. In the quiet of his presence, praise and thank him for becoming a man and saving you from sin and death.

• Serve the needy in some way. Volunteer at a food kitchen, buy gifts for a struggling family, or help decorate the home of an elderly neighbor.

• See where you have strayed from God. Then go to Confession and receive his forgiveness and the grace to follow him more closely.

• Is there anyone you need to forgive? Ask Jesus to help you forgive that person, and then reconcile with them if possible.

As you decide what you will give Jesus, remember: it’s not only about what you do to get ready for his coming. It’s also about what he wants to do for you.

• As you sit before him in adoration, he wants to give you his peace.

• As you reach out to the needy, he wants to encounter you in his beloved poor.

• As you go to Confession, he wants to fill you with his mercy.

• As you forgive other people, he wants to help heal your wounded relationships. 

Jesus is so generous that he wants to help you get ready for him. So slow down this Advent, and let him give you the gift of a willing heart.

“Jesus, I long for your coming. Help me to get ready!”