1^st Sunday of Advent Year (C)

Jr. 33: 14-16; Psalm 24; 1 Th. 3: 12, 4: 2; Lk. 21: 25-28, 34-36

Read: Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars. On earth, nations in agony bewildered by the turmoil of the ocean and its waves; people fainting with terror at what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect and hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand”.

Reflect: We are greatly tempted to give in when faced by sin which appears to conquer the world. “There is nothing that can be done”, some say, “the evil that surrounds us is too formidable: hunger, conflicts, injustices, hatred …… seem destined to remain with us for ever”. Not only that, but even in our personal lives we pass through periods of failure, misery, shortcomings and vices. Our passions overwhelm us and many times we find ourselves making compromises that make us unhappy. Fear, delusions, remorse, experiences that are not beautiful make it difficult for us to smile. Is it possible for us to regain faith in ourselves? Can anybody else bring us serenity, faith and peace?

There is no type of bondage from which the Lord is unable to relieve us. There is no depth of faultiness from which He is unable to pull us out. He waits for us to recognise our condition, and to turn to Him with the words of the Psalmist: “From the depts of the earth I call you Lord.” The moment that we allow God to enter our life, we will allow Advent to take place in our life, a new world will be born for us.

Pray: Your roads, Lord, show me, your ways teach me. Lead me to your goodness and teach me, because you are the God of my salvation.

Act: “Take care, that too much food and drink will not deaden your heart, and do not allow too much concern about the needs of life to occupy your minds too much; that you do not find that Day confronting you suddenly. Because this is the Day that comes like a trap for whoever is living on this earth. Be prepared, therefore, and pray all the time that you will be able to pass through all that is bound to happen and to stand before the Son of man”.