Nov 29 2020 Reflection
Sunday 29 November 2020
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:
I give thanks . . . for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:4)
Welcome to Advent! Whether it’s your first time entering this holy season or your ninetieth, be assured that God, your heavenly Father, is eager to bestow his grace on you.
As Paul says in today’s second reading, God has already poured his grace on you. He has given you access to every spiritual gift as you wait for Jesus to reveal himself to you (1 Corinthians 1:7). And God wants to do even more. He wants you to have a great Advent! He wants to make this season into a time for you to grow closer to him and come to know him better.
That doesn’t necessarily mean these days before Christmas will be easy. Your faith might deepen, or you might receive unexpected blessings. But you might also experience hardship or setbacks. Yet no matter what happens, God will reward whatever effort you put into your Advent preparations. That’s because he wants nothing more than for you to deepen your relationship with Jesus. That’s the grace God is offering you this season.
So dig in! Start by committing to spend more time in prayer this month. Use this magazine to read the Mass readings and meditations with an open heart. Participate in the life of your parish, maybe through Eucharistic Adoration or a service project. Pick up a spiritual book or do an Advent Bible study to develop your understanding of your faith.
Above everything else, be hopeful: “God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son” (1 Corinthians 1:9). That’s what this season is all about.
“Father, I want to experience your blessing as I wait and watch and prepare this Advent.”
