Sunday Homily – 03 December 2023

First Sunday of Advent

Also Read: Mass Readings for 03 December 2023 Mass Reading Reflection for 03 December 2023

Gospel: Mark 13: 33-37

We are beginning a new Liturgical year. Jesus is crying out to us “Be watchful! Be alert!”

Yes, we need to be watchful and alert because we are entrusted with His valuables.

God has entrusted with you yourself, including your body mind, and soul. You are accountable for all of them. The only uncertainty is the hour of returning them. Take good care of them as if there is no tomorrow, and your eternity shall depend on how you return them to the original owner, the God Almighty. 

God has entrusted you with a family. Think of the immediate family, your parents, your siblings, your spouse, and your children. Be watchful for their spiritual, mental, and corporal well-being. Always be alert for them like a nursing mother. Be available for them, and support them, especially when they are sick, down, and vulnerable to the dangers of this world. Be kind to them, love them, forgive them, and take good there of them always.

God has entrusted with you an extended family, they include your relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.  Take care of them well, help them in need, and accompany them when required. Stay close to them, especially in their sufferings. Support them with words, deeds, and accompaniment. 

Your job is your extended family too. Stay faithful, be ethical, and stay committed always. Be alert and watchful of your responsibilities. You are answerable not only to the stakeholders here but also to the heavenly Father.

The poor, the sick, the lonely, and the vulnerable are our family too. Be watchful to their needs. Our eternity depends on how we treat them. We may be tempted to judge them, but be kind to them, and consider them with mercy and love, just like the good Samaritan.

We are part of a larger family, the planet. We don’t own the planet. It is on lease. We have to hand it over better to the next generation. We are accountable for the active damages we inflict on nature due to greed. We are also answerable for our negligence in taking care of our surroundings. And, we are accountable for the apathy shown to the matters of nature.

Today we mark three beginnings. Today is the first day of the season of Advent, today is the first Sunday of a new liturgical year, and today is the first day of the rest of our lives. Hence, today is the best day the best day to change, the best day for a new beginning.

Remind yourself time and again of the cry Jesus made, “Be watchful! Be alert!”

Amen.