Gospel: December 1, 2024
December 1, 2024 (Sunday)
1st Sunday of Advent
Psalter: Week 1 / (Violet)
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 25: 4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
1st Reading: Jeremiah 33: 14-16
2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3: 12 — 4:2
Gospel: Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36
Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of perplexed nations when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
So, when you see things begin to happen, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near.”
Be on your guard; don’t immerse yourselves in a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For, like a snare, will that day come upon all the inhabitants of the earth. But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is going to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Lectio Divina:
Read: Jesus taught his listeners. There would be signs in the sun, moon and stars. There would be the roaring of the sea and waves. People would faint out of fear as the forces of the universe would be shaken. Jesus told them that at that time they would see the Son of Man with power and great glory. Then Jesus cautioned them to be on guard. He warned them not to immerse themselves in worldly pleasure and cares lest the day would catch them unprepared. The day of the Son of Man would be like a trap to come upon all the inhabitants of the earth. Jesus strongly exhorted them to always be watchful and to pray, that they may be able to endure everything and stand before the Son of Man.
Reflect: Today is the first day of December, the last month in this faith journey we have embarked ourselves on. Today is also the First Sunday of Advent. The Gospel passage for today appears to re-echo the Gospel readings from the Lucan “little apocalypse,” which we reflected on during the past few days. We ended our reflections on Luke 21, during the last days of the previous liturgical year, with the lesson of the fig tree—a lesson that teaches us vigilance. Now, as we begin our Advent journey, the call to be on guard becomes our basic disposition needed in our preparation to commemorate the Lord’s Nativity.
Pray: Let us pray for the gift of vigilance.
Act: Let us remind all our family members that we are now in the season of Advent and that we need to be on guard for the Lord’s coming into our lives.
