Tag: First Sunday of Advent

Posted on

First Sunday of Advent

Picture of Advent wreath with all 5 candles lit and the words advent hope love joy peace above wreath

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | Google Play Music

Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7
Responsorial: Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Gospel: Mark 13:33-37

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112920.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

It’s hard to believe that Advent begins today! Perhaps the pandemic and the extraordinary death toll in parts of the US like El Paso, Texas have affected how I read today’s scripture. To me, these readings and the gospel in particular get to the heart of the big questions in life. “Why am I here?” “What is my purpose?”

Jesus tell us to “Be watchful! Be alert!” in today’s gospel (Mark 13:33). We just never know. So, in light of this very different year, how can I make the most of Advent?

The good news is that God gave us resources to help answer these questions! St. Paul tells us in our second reading today that as disciples, we have already received God’s grace in Christ Jesus! We are blessed with all sorts of gifts, but sometimes we aren’t aware of what we have or how to use it.

One of the great blessings of Advent is to remind us that we need to set time aside to slow down and take stock of our lives. It’s sort of like a year-end review that businesses undergo, except the Church asks all of us to do it in our individual lives.

One of our key understandings about creation that the Church teaches us is that we need to encourage human flourishing. Another way to put this is how to become the best version of yourself. To me, our first reading speaks to human flourishing. Isaiah reminds us that we are the clay and God is the potter (64:7).

So, here are some questions we might consider. Have I allowed God to mold me? As a disciple, have I surrendered my life to God’s will? This is of course an extremely personal process. And as a parent or grandparent or aunt or uncle or friend, how can I model this process for other people?

Now the good news is that it’s never too late! But what does that mean and how can I get started? Now you might say, “But deacon, I’m over seventy and comfortably retired. What can I do?” Or you’re a fulltime accountant and you don’t see the need to invest in spiritual growth or spiritual development.

These are all excellent observations! While sometimes what God might ask of us fully aligns with an income-producing job, sometimes it doesn’t always. Take being a deacon for example. In general, the vast majority of deacons around the world are not paid employees of the Church. Some deacons might be reimbursed for some of their expenses. Some dioceses might organize continuing education events or retreats to reduce the costs to the deacons. But in general, almost everything the deacon pursues for their spiritual and pastoral education is on them. Deacons do not charge for their services, so the fruit of their ministry is a real gift to community.

So, if deacons can do it, then we can all be open to pursue the paths God has for us even if there is no compensation tied to it. As for retirees, well, you never know what situations might present itself to you with your family and friends or in your volunteer work. Perhaps taking even an online bible study or book club or a class might help you feel more confident about having that conversation you were afraid to have.

For example, I have taken classes through and I also facilitate classes for the Virtual Learning Center for Faith Formation or VLCFF through the University of Dayton. I’ll leave a link in the notes to this podcast. <1> They offer a ton of classes ranging from 3 – 6 weeks. There’s no degree requirement and no commitment. While the classes have an online facilitator like me, there are no online classes, so you don’t have to worry about being available for a zoom call at a specific time. You do you a specific agenda to follow each week, and you may interact with your facilitator and your classmates all you want, but you manage your own time. So, there are adults literally from all over the world who take these classes.

There are also a myriad of other excellent programs out there from authentically Catholic sources. Your pastor might have some suggestions for you too.

How can you tell if a site is authentically Catholic? Ah! Another excellent question! What is the one thing that separates Catholics from other Christians? The Catholic Church is an apostolic church. We believe that our bishop is the successor to the Apostles themselves! And we believe that all the bishops working together form the Magisterium or the teaching authority of the Church. And we believe that the bishop of Rome is first among all the bishops of the world. Most of us know the bishop of Rome as the Pope.

So, if whatever site you’re researching ever uses language like rejecting Pope Francis, then that theologian or that site is not a Catholic site. It doesn’t matter how many times they say they are Catholic or how much Latin is dressed on their website. To reject the Pope means automatic excommunication. Or if the theologian or website uses language like rejecting Vatican Two, then it not authentically Catholic. To say you reject Vatican Two in its entirety is to say you reject the magisterial teaching of the Church, and that means automatic excommunication!

If you’re not sure about a site and you’re not sure who to ask, ask me! I’m happy to help!

So, this Advent, let’s set some time aside to determine if we live like clay allowing ourselves to be molded by the potter. Are we living God’s plan for our lives? If not, what can I do about it?

Homework! I have asked a whole lot of questions today, so you’re homework is to spend a little time this week reviewing all the questions I’ve asked. You can find them in the notes to this podcast or on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org.

I think doing our homework will help us get on track with God’s plan for our lives. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. JPG file.

Notes: Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
<1> Virtual Learning Center for Faith Formation: https://vlcff.udayton.edu/.

References:
1. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T., SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. God gives humanity grace to accept Revelation, welcome the Messiah: 35
2. “Come, Lord Jesus!”: 451, 671, 1130, 1403, 2817
3. Christ’s coming in glory: 668-82, 769
4. Church as communion: 787-96, 959
5. Acknowledging that we are sinners: 827, 1431, 2677, 2839
6. Keeping watch: 2612, 2849
7. Prayer of thanksgiving: 2637-38

First Sunday of Advent https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112920.cfm
Lectionary: 2

Reading 1
Isaiah 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7
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.

Responsorial
Psalm 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.

Reading II
1 Corinthians 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.

Alleluia
Psalm 85:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 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!’”

Posted on

We Are an Advent People

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

First Sunday of Advent Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
Responsorial: Psalm 122:1-9
Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14
Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44

Mass Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120119.cfm
Our website: https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome to SEASON TWO of deacon rudy’s notes! I am so excited that you are allowing me to spend a few minutes walking with you on your journey. If you are just joining me, welcome! I try to post these reflections on the Sunday readings every week on Sunday or Monday at the latest. Now, these reflections are designed to supplement what hear preached during the mass. These reflections are not meant to substitute for the homily or the mass – so please don’t put that on me!

A few housekeeping details. In every episode I will include the links to the readings in the notes section of this podcast and on the website, www.deaconrudysnotes.org.

Something to look forward to: every episode includes homework – something practical to help us try to incorporate the lessons we receive from Scripture into our everyday lives.

I also include the script for each podcast in the notes. The recording might deviate a little from the script because sometimes I get a little carried away, but for the most part, it’s all there. Just after the script, I try to include references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in case you’d like to go a little deeper into the Church’s teachings. From time to time I will include references to materials that I use to prepare and any notes that I think might be helpful.

New this season, if you scroll all the way to the bottom to the bottom of the notes, you will find all three readings and the responsorial just in case you can’t get the links to work.

One more thing, please help me bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to more people by sharing a link to the website or the podcast with your family and friends. You can also help me reach more people by leaving a review on whichever podcast platform you are using. Many thanks in advance for helping me out.

This podcast is recorded in my home, so every now and then you might hear some random noise, like our dog barking or noise from the street. I hope it’s not too much of a distraction. We’re just keeping it real.

Now on to this week’s readings.

My brothers and sisters, today we begin Advent. This is a time of preparation. Not only do we look forward to the memorial of Jesus’ birth on Christmas, but we are reminded that our entire being should be oriented toward the Second Coming of Christ. Like the early disciples, we are called to “stay awake” for the Lord is near.

First, we should remember that there is nothing we can do as disciples to force God to come an earlier than he planned. Staying awake means that we should not get caught up in political or so-called religious activities that seek to set the stage for the Second Coming. As Jesus said, He will return, “at an hour you do not expect.”

Second, being prepared means that we should be prepared everyday of our lives, because the end will come – the Second Coming will come at the end of time, yes, but this world will come to an end for each of us when we face our own death. We don’t know when that will happen, so if we don’t have everything in order, then Advent is a good time to start. We should start now trying to deepen our relationship with Jesus. We should set the affairs of our lives in order now and stop delaying for some time in the future that might never come.

That means now is the time to address any unresolved pain or anguish in our lives. Now is the time to forgive ourselves for something we might have done in our past. Now is the time to forgive others who might have really ticked us off. But the key to forgiving ourselves and forgiving others is let it go. We can’t say we’ve forgiven and keep beating ourselves up about it or holding a grudge against other people.

Now is the time to examine how we live as Christians and ask ourselves if we allow our Christian beliefs to influence how we live our everyday lives, how we run our businesses, how we work at our jobs, how we treat other people, how we vote and the sorts of issues we advocate for. Now is the time to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

So, when is Advent exactly? Every day of the year is Advent, not just these days running up to Christmas. As Christians, we must be an Advent people – a people who stay awake – a people ready and prepared for the coming of our Lord.

Homework! After hearing the Word of God proclaimed, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

  1. What conversion of mind, heart and life is the Lord asking of me?
  2. If Jesus were coming today, what would I do? What can I do today to walk more closely with God?

I think doing our homework will help us be an Advent people as we look forward to celebrate the memorial of Christmas, and as we wait for the coming of our Lord.

Do you got it? Do you get it? Then go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References

  1. Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel Of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2014.
  2. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.

Catechism Links:

  1. The human knowledge of Jesus, 471-74 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p1.htm#471
  2. The Coming of Christ 668-677 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c2a7.htm#668

Mass Readings

First Reading
Isaiah 2:1-5
This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come,
the mountain of the LORD’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths.”
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Responsorial
Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my brothers and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Second Reading
Romans 13:11-14
Brothers and sisters:
You know the time;
it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.
For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;
the night is advanced, the day is at hand.
Let us then throw off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,
not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Gospel
Matthew 24:37-44
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.”

Posted on

02 First Sunday of Advent

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Joseph and Mary at Innkeeper's door: There's no room at the inn

Mass Readings

First Sunday of Advent

Reading 1 – Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm – Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
Reading 2 – 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2
Gospel – Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Happy first Sunday of Advent!

We hear in the first reading today, “The days are coming, says the Lord…”, Jeremiah 33:14. Scholars tell us that Jeremiah preached over 600 years before Jesus was born, and yet this warning from Jeremiah is more relevant for the Christian today than perhaps at any other time in history. You see, those early Christian communities that began to form not long after the Resurrection believed that Jesus would return during their lifetime in all his glory as Jesus Himself described in today’s Gospel, Luke 21:25-28, and 34-36. After a little time passed, they began to realize that things will unfold in God’s time – not their time. So the focus gradually shifts away from the imminent coming of Jesus to living lives of discipleship in an unbelieving world.

I think an unintended consequence of this shift is that Christians might take for granted Jesus’ return. In fact, it almost becomes academic. Yes, Jesus will come at some point way out there in the future – just not today. That thinking makes us too vulnerable to the world around us. Don’t get me wrong, we all need to engage the world around us, but for the disciple, the world around us, especially consumerism, presents unique challenges. The focus of consumerism is on me and my things. Right? We convince ourselves we deserve that new gadget or new device or new car. The great tragedy is that we get so caught up in all that stuff that can never fulfill us that many of us fail to see Jesus trying to come to us right now.

Take the innkeeper in the Nativity story, for example. In that story, the whole Roman world is on the move to be counted in the census ordered by Caesar Augustus. To be counted, you had to go to your hometown. The problem was that Mary wasn’t just pregnant – she was very pregnant! Nonetheless, they made the journey, as Scripture says, from Nazareth to Bethlehem. By the time they arrived, they couldn’t find a place to stay. They knock on an innkeeper’s door who tells them there is no room at the inn, but he offers them a place in the stables.

Now let’s stop for a minute and look at this story from the eyes of the innkeeper. Here’s a guy just going about his business. By the time Joseph knocks on his door, I’m sure the innkeeper was exhausted. Remember, the whole Roman world is on the move. His place was packed. Maybe he was annoyed at the way some of his customers had behaved earlier. Maybe he lost business because he hadn’t ordered enough food and wine. Maybe he was frustrated because his son hadn’t taken out the trash. So here at the end of the day he’s looking forward to his warm, comfy bed when someone else knocks on his door. That knock on the door probably grated on him like fingernails scratching a chalkboard. You can almost hear him bark out as he answers the door, “No, of course we don’t have a room!”

Can you imagine just for a second what would have happened if that innkeeper had recognized the Messiah knocking on his door through other people – through Mary and Joseph? Why, I bet he would have pulled the Holy Family inside and perhaps even offered his own room so that Mary could bring Jesus into the world in a comfortable bed. That inn would have been the most celebrated in all history! Today there would probably be a huge church marking the spot and we would have known the name of our anonymous innkeeper. If only he’d recognized the opportunity.

I wonder how many times in my own life I might have missed the opportunity to see Jesus in the people around me, like in the eyes of that homeless guy that I tried not make eye contact with on my way to work. Or maybe, maybe he tries to come to us through the immigrants we might catch a glimpse of on a cable news program or through that person we know who leads an alternative lifestyle. Too often, I think, we’re quick to judge other people – to blame them for their own problems or the problems of our society – that we fail to recognize the possibility that Jesus might be trying to reach out to us through one of them.

Why does Jesus do that? Why does he come to us through other people? I believe that Jesus loves us so much that He constantly pursues us – He’s constantly knocking on our doors.
But here’s the trick. We have to open the door. Like that innkeeper, we have the power to decide whether or not to open or close the door. That’s what free will is all about. You see, God pursues us, but He will not force Himself on anybody. We have the freedom to act. And when we open the door, we invite God’s saving grace into our lives.

I think this season of Advent, this time of preparation that the Church sets aside for us, is an excellent opportunity to pause and to ask ourselves if we are open to the possibility of seeing Jesus coming to us this Christmas, perhaps through the people around us.

Homework! There are two things I think we can work on this week. Nourished by Christ in the Eucharist and in the Word proclaimed, let’s reflect on these two questions:

  • First, how do I treat other people? Can I see Jesus in the people I encounter?
  • Second, what is one thing I can do this Advent to prepare myself for Christ’s coming at Christmas? For example, could I go to mass every weekend? Could I receive the Eucharist? Could I go to confession?

I think by doing our homework we’ll be more aware of Jesus trying to reach us through other people, that we recognize the knock on our doors so that we might recognize the opportunity to have an encounter with Jesus Christ, an encounter that leads to transformation, transformation that leads to salvation.

Does that make sense? Are you going to do your homework? Good! May each of us this Advent season come to know the grace and peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. +Amen!