First Sunday of Advent: B: December 3, 2023

 WATCH AND PRAY (Preparing for the coming of the Lord)

First Reading: Isaiah 63:16-17 and 64: 1 and 3-8

Second Reading: 1Corinthians 1: 3-9

Gospel Reading: Mark 13: 33-37

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah laments over the sad state of the chosen people of God who had returned from the Babylonian exile. He recalls the past goodness of the Lord God to His people. The Prophet fervently prays that the heavens may rend open and the saviour may soon come among His people. This prayer of Isaiah finds its echo in the liturgy of the holy season of Advent.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul thanks God for all the graces and blessings the Christian community at Corinth received in the past. He earnestly urges them to remain faithful and sinless as they await the return of  Lord Jesus. Paul assures them and all of us that as they/we await the coming of the Lord in glory, the Holy Spirit keeps them/us steadfast in bearing witness to Him.

Stay awake                                                                      Advent marks the beginning of our journey of a new liturgical year. It calls us to wake up and look at our relationship with Jesus our saviour and other humans. We are His servants in whom He has placed His trust.                                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. We have a short little parable for our reflection. It is about a householder who goes on a long journey. Before departure, he calls his servants and gives each one a job to do. He urges them to be responsible and not to fall asleep. He singles out the doorkeeper and tells him, "When I return, I want to find you awake". Christ's story ends there with that warning ringing in our ears. Let us take this story a little further, concentrating only on the doorkeeper. Perhaps, the greatest danger facing him is not so much that he may fall asleep on the job but rather, it will become just another job and nothing more. A person can get used to anything and complacency follows. It may happen in our lives too. Hence the need  to 'stay awake'. Advent invites us to wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

"Mark the season of Advent by loving  and serving the others with God's own love and concern." -St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"Into this world, this demented inn in which there is absolutely no room for him at all, Christ comes uninvited." -Thomas Merton