ADVENT: A TIME OF PREPARATION
Advent is the start of the liturgical year in the Roman Catholic Church. This year, in the Liturgical cycle, is Year B, in which we read the Gospel of Mark and chapter 6 of the Gospel of John. Advent is a period of preparation, extending over four Sundays, before Christmas. The Latin word adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used to refer to the Second Coming of Christ. The season of Advent anticipates the coming of Christ from two different perspectives. First of all, it is our celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas; but second, it directs the mind and heart to His Second Coming at the end of time. It is also a season to be aware of the coming of Christ in our daily lives through grace. In the Roman Catholic Church, the official liturgical color for most of the Season of Advent is violet. The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called "Gaudete Sunday" (from Latin, meaning "Rejoice!), because the Entrance Antiphon of this Sunday's Mass is taken from Paul's letter to the Philippians: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near." (Phil 4:4-5b). On this Sunday, the priest may wear rose vestments, as a symbol of joy.
First Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 2
Lectionary: 2
You, LORD, are our
father,
our redeemer you are named forever.
Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways,
and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?
Return for the sake of your servants,
the tribes of your heritage.
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
with the mountains quaking before you,
while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for,
such as they had not heard of from of old.
No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you
doing such deeds for those who wait for him.
Would that you might meet us doing right,
that we were mindful of you in our ways!
Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful;
all of us have become like unclean people,
all our good deeds are like polluted rags;
we have all withered like leaves,
and our guilt carries us away like the wind.
There is none who calls upon your name,
who rouses himself to cling to you;
for you have hidden your face from us
and have delivered us up to our guilt.
Yet, O LORD, you are our father;
we are the clay and you the potter:
we are all the work of your hands.
our redeemer you are named forever.
Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways,
and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?
Return for the sake of your servants,
the tribes of your heritage.
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
with the mountains quaking before you,
while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for,
such as they had not heard of from of old.
No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you
doing such deeds for those who wait for him.
Would that you might meet us doing right,
that we were mindful of you in our ways!
Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful;
all of us have become like unclean people,
all our good deeds are like polluted rags;
we have all withered like leaves,
and our guilt carries us away like the wind.
There is none who calls upon your name,
who rouses himself to cling to you;
for you have hidden your face from us
and have delivered us up to our guilt.
Yet, O LORD, you are our father;
we are the clay and you the potter:
we are all the work of your hands.
Responsorial Psalm PS 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
R/ (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see
your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R/ Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R/ Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R/ Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R/ Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R/ Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R/ Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Reading 21 COR 1:3-9
Brothers and
sisters:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always on your account
for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge,
as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift
as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will keep you firm to the end,
irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful,
and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always on your account
for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge,
as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift
as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will keep you firm to the end,
irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful,
and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
AlleluiaPS 85:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MK 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!’”
“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!’”
Scripture Study
November 30, 2014
First Sunday of Advent
This Sunday we begin a
new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent. The Advent Season is a
four week preparation for Christmas but not in the usual sense. Advent is a
time to reflect with John in the desert and to think about the various advents
or comings of Jesus into our lives and our world. Jesus came to us in the
historical incarnation that we will celebrate at Christmas. He will come to us
as the returning glorious King of Kings at the end of time. But perhaps most
visibly He comes to us quietly every day in the interactions we have with each
other. Every expression of love and care that passes between two people has
Jesus in the middle of it. This is the most common and maybe the most
miraculous of the advents of Jesus. Each day He comes to us in and through each
other.
First Reading:
Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64: 2b-7
63:16 [for you
are our father.
Were Abraham not to know us,
nor Israel to acknowledge us,]
You, LORD, are our father,
our redeemer you are named forever.
Were Abraham not to know us,
nor Israel to acknowledge us,]
You, LORD, are our father,
our redeemer you are named forever.
17 Why do you
let us wander, O LORD, from your ways,
and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?
Return for the sake of your servants,
the tribes of your heritage.
and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?
Return for the sake of your servants,
the tribes of your heritage.
[18 Why have the wicked invaded your holy place,
why have our enemies trampled your sanctuary?
why have our enemies trampled your sanctuary?
19 Too long
have we been like those you do not rule,
who do not bear your name.]
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
with the mountains quaking before you,
who do not bear your name.]
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
with the mountains quaking before you,
64:1 [As when
brushwood is set ablaze,
or fire makes the water boil!
Thus your name would be made known to your enemies
and the nations would tremble before you,]
or fire makes the water boil!
Thus your name would be made known to your enemies
and the nations would tremble before you,]
2 While you
wrought awesome deeds we could
not hope for,
not hope for,
3 such as they
had not heard of from of old.
No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen,
any God but you
doing such deeds for those who wait for him.
No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen,
any God but you
doing such deeds for those who wait for him.
4 Would that
you might meet us doing right,
that we were mindful of you in our ways!
Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful;
that we were mindful of you in our ways!
Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful;
5 all of us
have become like unclean men,
all our good deeds are like polluted rags;
We have all withered like leaves,
and our guilt carries us away like the wind.
all our good deeds are like polluted rags;
We have all withered like leaves,
and our guilt carries us away like the wind.
6 There is
none who calls upon your name,
who rouses himself to cling to you;
For you have hidden your face from us
and have delivered us up to our guilt.
who rouses himself to cling to you;
For you have hidden your face from us
and have delivered us up to our guilt.
7 Yet, O LORD,
you are our father;
we are the clay and you the potter:
we are all the work of your hands.
we are the clay and you the potter:
we are all the work of your hands.
NOTES on First
Reading:
The sections in
brackets [] are left out of the reading. * 63:16 Although Isaiah carried on his
ministry in the eighth century B.C., chapters 40-66 are generally thought to be
from a later date. This portion of Isaiah begins in the style of a psalm of
lament. The writer is expressing the sense of loss felt by the first returnees
to Jerusalem when the exile ended (Fifth Century B.C.) and they faced the mass
destruction that had befallen the city. The writer stresses that God is the
Father of Israel and the One Who saves them. See 64:7; Exod 4:22; Hos 11:1.
* 63:17 The “servants”
mentioned here are the faithful disciples of Deuteronomy and Trito-Isaiah ( Isaiah
Chapters 56-66).
* 63:19 The second
half of verse 19 as given in the NAB is often placed in verse 64:1 by
translations that follow the Masoretic (Jewish) verse numbering. Regardless of
the verse number, the meaning is clear. The writer is asking for a theophany
like the one at Sinai (Exod 19; Deut 4:32-36; see Mark 1:10) but even more
wondrous.
* 64:1(2) In Exodus
fire is a symbol of God’s presence and protection, here it is a sign of anger.
* 64:3 (4) This is the
Old Testament background for 1 Cor 1:9.
* 64:4b-6 God appears
to have abandoned Israel to their guilt.
*64:5 (4) The term,
“polluted rags,” actually refers to cloths used during a woman’s menstrual
period and implies cultural shame and ceremonial uncleanness (Lev 15:19-24).
* 64:7-11 The reading
gives us only the first verse of this desperate appeal that expresses both an
emphatic urgency and a stubborn faith.
Second Reading: 1
Corinthians 1:3-9
3 Grace to you
and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give
thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in
Christ Jesus, 5 that in him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge, 6 as the testimony to
Christ was confirmed among you, 7 so that you are not lacking
in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He
will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus
(Christ). 9 God is faithful, and by him you were called to
fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
NOTES on Second
Reading:
* 1:3 This is the last
verse of the common introductory formula for the greeting and thanksgiving with
which Paul usually begins his letters.
* 1: 4 The basis for
Paul’s gratitude is the gift of God mediated by Jesus, which must be made
manifest in our lives.
* 1:5 This verse
suggests that the Corinthian Church was endowed with spiritual gifts. Such a
suggestion would have flattered the Corinthians but it was meant, at least
partly, as a rebuke in the form of faint praise. In other communities grace is
described as being manifested in their faith, hope, and love, or partnership in
the gospel. These are all qualities that were conspicuously missing among the
Corinthians who were suffering from a serious problem of pride in the possession
of the spiritual gifts and lacked evidence of the love that should be evident
among members of the Body of Christ.
* 1:6 In the word,
testimony, Paul is referring to the purpose of his mission (see also 1 Cor
15:15 and 1 Cor 2:1). His testimony took the form of oral preaching and
instruction, his letters, and the life he led as an apostle. Very much the same
thing should be true of us. Some translations read “mystery” in some of the
places where Paul uses this Greek word, “marturion.”
* 1:7 Because of the
Corinthian preoccupation on the present, Paul reminds them that full
manifestation of the kingdom is reserved for the future when the Lord will
return.
* 1:8 The reception of
a favorable eschatological judgment is due to God’s assistance or grace.
* 1:9 God will not
abandon what He has begun. An early Christian term for members of the church
was “the called ones.”
Gospel Reading:
Mark 13:33-37
33 Be
watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. 34 It
is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in
charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. 35 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. 36 May
he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. 37What I say to you, I
say to all: ‘Watch!’”
NOTES on Gospel:
* 13:33-37 This
passage is a call to watchfulness. This type of language where hearers or
readers are urged to stay on guard was common in the early church. Jesus is
definitely coming back but as he told us in the previous verse, we can’t know
exactly when it will happen. Therefore we must be prepared at any time. The
question is not will we have to wait for Him but how will we spend the time
during the wait.
* 13:36 This is a
warning that the reckoning will occur.
* 13:37 This verse
emphasizes the need for patient endurance.
Meditation: "What
I say to you I say to all - Watch!"
What do you do when
someone you love very dearly and miss very much has been gone a very long time
but promises to return soon? Do you ignore their absence, or do you anticipate
their return and send them messages to let them know how much you long to be
with them again? Jesus' parable about the long-expected return of the Master to
his household brings this point home.
Parable of the
watchful servants waiting for the master's return
Wealthy landowners often left their estates in the hands of their trustworthy servants and stewards. This gave them freedom to travel, trade, and expand their business ventures. They expected loyalty and hard work from their servants and rewarded them accordingly. Dutiful servants would eagerly anticipate their master's return by keeping the house and estate in good order. Jesus doesn't tell us in his parable whether the servants were ready to receive the unexpected return of their master. Were these servants excited or anxious about their master's return? The watchful servants, no doubt, looked forward to the future because they knew their master would be pleased and would reward them for their vigilance and hard work. Disaster and reprisal, however, awaited those who were unprepared because of carelessness or laziness.
Wealthy landowners often left their estates in the hands of their trustworthy servants and stewards. This gave them freedom to travel, trade, and expand their business ventures. They expected loyalty and hard work from their servants and rewarded them accordingly. Dutiful servants would eagerly anticipate their master's return by keeping the house and estate in good order. Jesus doesn't tell us in his parable whether the servants were ready to receive the unexpected return of their master. Were these servants excited or anxious about their master's return? The watchful servants, no doubt, looked forward to the future because they knew their master would be pleased and would reward them for their vigilance and hard work. Disaster and reprisal, however, awaited those who were unprepared because of carelessness or laziness.
Watching with
hopeful expectation and vigilance for Christ's return
When we expect some very important event to happen, we often wait for it with excited anticipation. The Lord Jesus expects us to watch in great anticipation for the most important event of all - his return in glory at the end of this present age! The Old Testament prophets foretold the coming of the Lord when he shall judge between the nations and decide for many peoples (Isaiah 2:5).
When we expect some very important event to happen, we often wait for it with excited anticipation. The Lord Jesus expects us to watch in great anticipation for the most important event of all - his return in glory at the end of this present age! The Old Testament prophets foretold the coming of the Lord when he shall judge between the nations and decide for many peoples (Isaiah 2:5).
The Advent season
reminds us that we are living in the end times. The end times begin with the
first coming of Christ (when the Word of God became flesh and dwelt
among us - John 1:14) and it culminates in Christ's second coming on
the Day of Judgment and vindication for his people. Jesus spoke of his return
in glory at the close of the ages as an indisputable fact and predetermined act
which he will perform as the Judge and Ruler of all peoples, nations, and
individuals who ever lived on the earth.
"May your
kingdom come!"
While the second coming of Christ is for certain, the time of his appearance is not yet disclosed. The Lord's day of visitation and judgment comes swiftly and unexpectedly. Jesus warns his listeners to not be caught off guard when that day arrives. It will surely come in God's good time! The Lord invites us to pray for the coming of his kingdom into our present lives and future as well - "may your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). Do you earnestly pray for the coming of God's kingdom - both now and at the end of the world?
While the second coming of Christ is for certain, the time of his appearance is not yet disclosed. The Lord's day of visitation and judgment comes swiftly and unexpectedly. Jesus warns his listeners to not be caught off guard when that day arrives. It will surely come in God's good time! The Lord invites us to pray for the coming of his kingdom into our present lives and future as well - "may your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). Do you earnestly pray for the coming of God's kingdom - both now and at the end of the world?
The Lord will
reward those who wait for him
The prophet Isaiah tells us that God will surely reward those who wait for his visitation: "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who works for those who wait for him" (Isaiah 64:4). Our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, has entrusted us with his gifts and graces (his abundant favors and blessings). He expects us to make good use of the gifts and resources he gives us for his glory and for the benefit of helping and blessing others as well. He does not want us to use the present time we have here on earth in idleness or wasted living. He has work for us to do - loving, honoring,and serving him and loving,honoring, and serving our families, neighbors, and communities as well.
The prophet Isaiah tells us that God will surely reward those who wait for his visitation: "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who works for those who wait for him" (Isaiah 64:4). Our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, has entrusted us with his gifts and graces (his abundant favors and blessings). He expects us to make good use of the gifts and resources he gives us for his glory and for the benefit of helping and blessing others as well. He does not want us to use the present time we have here on earth in idleness or wasted living. He has work for us to do - loving, honoring,and serving him and loving,honoring, and serving our families, neighbors, and communities as well.
How do we watch
and wait for the Lord's coming?
How does the Lord want us to be watchful and vigilant for his return? The kind of watching the Lord has in mind is not a passive "wait and see what happens" approach to life. The Lord urges us to vigilance and to active prayer that his "kingdom may come" and his "will be done on earth as it is in heaven". We are not only to watch for Christ, but to watch with Christ. The Lord wants us to have our hearts and minds fixed on him and his word. He wants us to be ready for his action and work of grace in our lives and in our world. Those who "wait" for the Lord will not be disappointed. He will surely come with his grace and saving help. Do you watch for the Lord's action in your life with expectant faith and with joyful hope?
How does the Lord want us to be watchful and vigilant for his return? The kind of watching the Lord has in mind is not a passive "wait and see what happens" approach to life. The Lord urges us to vigilance and to active prayer that his "kingdom may come" and his "will be done on earth as it is in heaven". We are not only to watch for Christ, but to watch with Christ. The Lord wants us to have our hearts and minds fixed on him and his word. He wants us to be ready for his action and work of grace in our lives and in our world. Those who "wait" for the Lord will not be disappointed. He will surely come with his grace and saving help. Do you watch for the Lord's action in your life with expectant faith and with joyful hope?
The season of Advent
is a time for rousing our minds and hearts for the Lord's coming. As his
servants we watch for his will - continually seeking him. We watch for his word
and his power - that he may act now to save and to deliver. And we watch for
his visitation – he will surely come again! Servants of the Lord rouse
yourselves! Be vigilant, be alert, be "watchmen" for the Lord pointing
the way for his coming.
"Lord Jesus,
awaken my heart and mind to receive your word and to prepare for your coming
again. Free me from complacency, from the grip of sin and worldliness, and from
attachments to things which pass away. May I always be eager to receive your
word and be ready to meet you when you came again."
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, MARK 13:33-37
(Isaiah 63:16b-17,19b, 64:2-7; Psalm 80; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, MARK 13:33-37
(Isaiah 63:16b-17,19b, 64:2-7; Psalm 80; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9)
KEY VERSE: "Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming" (v 35).
TO KNOW: Mark wrote his gospel to encourage Christians who were suffering persecution for their faith. In chapter 13, Mark used an "apocalyptic" form of writing that was popular during times of crisis. This style borrowed images from the Hebrew Scriptures that depicted a time of turmoil and tribulation before the great "Day of the Lord." The author's purpose was not to instill fear, but to inspire hope in God's ultimate triumph over evil forces. While no one knows for certain the exact "day or hour" (Mk 13:32) of Christ's return, God's servants must be vigilant for his inevitable coming. As we begin this Advet time, God invites all of us to reflect on our readiness to bring the Christ, Son of God and Son of Mary, to our world today. We are invited to "wait in joyful hope" for the Lord's coming in each and every day of our lives.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, help me to use this Advent to prepare my heart for your coming.
TO SERVE: Do my actions help bring about the arrival of God's kingdom of peace and justice?
Sunday 30 November 2014
First Advent Week I Psalter
[Sundays Year B Weekdays Year I] 1st
Sunday of Advent. V.
Isaiah
63:16-17; 64:1, 3-8. Lord, make us turn to you, let us see your face and we
shall be saved—Ps 79(80):2-3, 15-16, 18-19. 1 Corinthians 1:3-9. Mark 13:33-37.
Advent is a time of
reminders about being prepared for God’s coming.
We await Jesus’ coming into
the world at Christmas, and are reminded that we live every day waiting for his
coming again.
Waiting is not passive. We
have been called into a relationship of grace. It is God’s gift to us and we
are encouraged to turn to God constantly, giving thanks and praise.
We prepare for Jesus’
coming by responding to God’s call to live as children of the light and to
continue God’s work in the world. And we are not left alone to live this
calling. The Holy Spirit is with us and, by turning to God in prayer, we
grow stronger.
In turn, our gifts grow
stronger. Called, gifted and responsive—this is our journey to live
every day.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
Jesus Is Our Hope
|
Hope is the natural result of being humble and obedient to God’s
will and making prayer and the Eucharist a priority. Above all, Jesus Himself
is our hope. Christ in us is the reason for our hope; He is the promise now and
for our future glory.
November
30
St. Andrew
St. Andrew
Andrew was St. Peter’s brother, and was called with him. "As
[Jesus] was walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is
now called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were
fishermen. He said to them, ‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of
men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him" (Matthew 4:18-20).
John the
Evangelist presents Andrew as a disciple of John the Baptist. When Jesus walked
by one day, John said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." Andrew and another
disciple followed Jesus. "Jesus turned and saw them following him and said
to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi (which translated
means Teacher), where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come, and you will
see.’ So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that
day" (John 1:38-39a).
Little
else is said about Andrew in the Gospels. Before the multiplication of the
loaves, it was Andrew who spoke up about the boy who had the barley loaves and
fishes (see John 6:8-9). When the Gentiles went to see Jesus, they came to
Philip, but Philip then had recourse to Andrew (see John 12:20-22).
Legend
has it that Andrew preached the Good News in what is now modern Greece and
Turkey and was crucified at Patras.
Stories:
“...[T]he Twelve called together the community of the disciples
and said, ‘It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and
wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves
to prayer and to the ministry of the word’” (Acts of the Apostles 6:2–4).
Comment:
As in the case of all the apostles except Peter and John, the Gospels give us little about the holiness of Andrew. He was an apostle. That is enough. He was called personally by Jesus to proclaim the Good News, to heal with Jesus' power and to share his life and death. Holiness today is no different. It is a gift that includes a call to be concerned about the Kingdom, an outgoing attitude that wants nothing more than to share the riches of Christ with all people.
As in the case of all the apostles except Peter and John, the Gospels give us little about the holiness of Andrew. He was an apostle. That is enough. He was called personally by Jesus to proclaim the Good News, to heal with Jesus' power and to share his life and death. Holiness today is no different. It is a gift that includes a call to be concerned about the Kingdom, an outgoing attitude that wants nothing more than to share the riches of Christ with all people.
Quote:
Patron Saint of:
Fishermen
Greece
Russia
Scotland
Fishermen
Greece
Russia
Scotland
LECTIO DIVINA:
1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (B)
Lectio:
Sunday, November 30, 2014
1. LECTIO
a) Initial Prayer:
Father in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love and
our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for
Christ our Saviour and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of
his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his
truth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading: Mark 13, 33-37
33 'Be on your
guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come.34 It
is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from his home, and left his
servants in charge, each with his own work to do; and he has told the doorkeeper
to stay awake.35 So stay awake, because you do not know when the
master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow or dawn; 36 if
he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep. 37 And
what I am saying to you I say to all: Stay awake!'
c) A moment of silence:
so that the Word of God may enter into our hearts and enlighten
our lives.
2. MEDITATIO
a) A key to the reading:
“Watch!” This is the key word in the short passage that the
Church presents for the liturgy of the first Sunday of Advent. To watch, to
stay awake, to wait for the return of the master of the house, not to sleep,
this is what Jesus asks of a Christian. These four verses of the Gospel of
Saint Mark are part of the eschatological discourse in chapter thirteen. This
chapter speaks of the destruction of the Temple and of the city of Jerusalem.
Jesus takes up a point from the observation made by a disciple: “Master, look
at the size of those stones!” (Mk 13: 1). Jesus, then, clarifies the idea: “You
see these great buildings? Not a single stone will be left on another;
everything will be pulled down” (Mk 13: 2). The Temple, the tangible sign of
the presence of God in the midst of his chosen people, Jerusalem “built as a
city, in one united whole” where “the tribes go up, the tribes of Yahweh, a
sign for Israel to give thanks to the name of Yahweh” (Ps 122: 4), all this,
the sure sign of the promise made to David, sign of the covenant, all this will
be destroyed…it is only a sign of something else to come. The disciples,
rendered curious, ask the Lord who is sitting on the mount of Olives in front
of the Temple: “Tell us, when is this going to happen, and what sign will there
be that it is all about to take place?” (Mk 13: 4). After the Jewish
apocalyptic style inspired by Daniel, Jesus limits his reply to proclaiming the
warning signs (false christs and prophets who will deceive by proclaiming the
coming of the imminent times, persecutions, signs in the powers of heaven. cf.:
Mk 13: 5-32), “But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels
in heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father” (Mk 13: 32).
This leads us to understand the importance of a watchful and
attentive waiting for the signs of the times that help us to welcome the
“master of the house” (Mk 13: 35). When he comes, all things will disappear,
“the power of the servants” (Mk 13: 34) also the signs that help us remember
his benevolence (temple, Jerusalem, house). When the master comes, the
“servants” and “the doorkeeper” (Mk 13: 34) no longer care about the signs but
take pleasure in the master himself: “Look! The bridegroom! Go out and meet
him” (Mt 25: 6 + Mk 2: 19-20).
Jesus often asked his disciples to watch. In the garden of
Olives, on the Thursday night just before the passion, the Lord says to Peter,
James and John: “Wait here, and stay awake” (Mk 14: 34; Mt 26: 38). Watching
helps us not to fall into temptation (Mt 26: 41) but to stay awake. In the
garden of Olives, the disciples fall asleep because the flesh is weak even
though the spirit is willing (Mk 14: 38). Anyone who sleeps goes to ruin, like
Samson who allowed himself to be put to sleep, thus losing his strength, the
gift of God (Jud 16: 19). We must stay awake always and not fall asleep, and
watch and pray that we may not be deceived and thus go to our perdition (Mk 13:
22 + Jn 1: 6). Thus “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will
shine on you” (Eph 5: 14).
b) Questions to orientate the meditation and make it relevant:
● What does watching mean to you?
● The Lord foretells the destruction of the Temple and of the city of Jerusalem, the pride of the chosen people and symbols of the presence of God. Why does Jesus foretell their destruction?
● The Temple and the holy city were concrete forms of the covenant between God and his people. But these have gone through destruction. What are our concrete forms of the covenant? Do you think they will experience the same fate?
● Jesus calls us to transcend all forms and to attach ourselves to him. What things, forms and signs do you think the Lord is asking you to transcend so as to attach yourself more closely to him?
● Are you asleep? In what sense?
● Do you live always in expectation of the coming of the Lord? Is Advent a time for you to remember the element of waiting in the life of a Christian?
● The Lord foretells the destruction of the Temple and of the city of Jerusalem, the pride of the chosen people and symbols of the presence of God. Why does Jesus foretell their destruction?
● The Temple and the holy city were concrete forms of the covenant between God and his people. But these have gone through destruction. What are our concrete forms of the covenant? Do you think they will experience the same fate?
● Jesus calls us to transcend all forms and to attach ourselves to him. What things, forms and signs do you think the Lord is asking you to transcend so as to attach yourself more closely to him?
● Are you asleep? In what sense?
● Do you live always in expectation of the coming of the Lord? Is Advent a time for you to remember the element of waiting in the life of a Christian?
3. ORATIO
a) Psalm 96:
O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvellous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols;
but the Lord made the heavens.
Honour and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in holy array;
tremble before him, all the earth!
Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!
Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity."
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvellous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols;
but the Lord made the heavens.
Honour and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in holy array;
tremble before him, all the earth!
Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!
Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity."
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.
b) Moments for a prayerful silence:
We give you thanks, O God our Father, for your son Jesus who
came to raise us up and set us on the right way. When you awaken in our hearts
a thirst for prayer and loving service, you prepare us for the dawn of that new
day when our glory will be made manifest with all the saints in the presence of
the Son of Man.
4. CONTEMPLATIO
Contemplation means to know how to adhere with one’s whole heart
and mind to the Lord who through his Word transforms us into new persons who
always do his will. “Now that you know this, blessed are you if you behave
accordingly.” (Jn 13: 17)
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