First Sunday of Advent
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 25: 4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
Second Reading: First Thessalonians 3: 12 – 4: 2
Alleluia: Psalms 85: 8
Gospel: Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36
First Reading: Jeremiah 33: 14-16
14 Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform the good word that I have spoken to the house of Israel, and to the house of Juda.
15 In those days, and at that time, I will make the bud of justice to spring forth unto David, and he shall do judgment and justice in the earth.
16 In those days shall Juda be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell securely: and this is the name that they shall call him, The Lord our just one.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 25: 4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
R. (1b) To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
4 Let all them be confounded that act unjust things without cause. shew, O Lord, thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths.
5 Direct me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art God my Saviour; and on thee have I waited all the day long.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
8 The Lord is sweet and righteous: therefore he will give a law to sinners in the way.
9 He will guide the mild in judgment: he will teach the meek his ways.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
10 All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, to them that seek after his covenant and his testimonies.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
14 The Lord is a firmament to them that fear him: and his covenant shall be made manifest to them.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Second Reading: First Thessalonians 3: 12 – 4: 2
12 And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in charity towards one another, and towards all men: as we do also towards you,
13 To confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness, before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen.
4:1 For the rest therefore, brethren, we pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us, how you ought to walk, and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more.
2 For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus.
Alleluia: Psalms 85: 8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
8 Show us, Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves;
26 Men withering away for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved;
27 And then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with great power and majesty.
28 But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand.
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly.
35 For as a snare shall it come upon all that sit upon the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, and to stand before the Son of man.
Reflection
The Lord’s promises are not cancelled by the shaking of the world. He announces that a just branch will spring from David, bringing salvation and security, while the Gospel speaks of distress, fear, and the powers of heaven being moved. In the midst of such upheaval, Jesus does not tell his disciples to surrender to dread. He says, “Look up,” because redemption is near. Christian hope has a direction: it turns toward the Son of Man.
That hope also shapes the way we live while we wait. The psalm asks God to teach his paths and guide the meek in truth, and Saint Paul prays that charity may abound and hearts may be found holy before the Lord. Watchfulness, then, is more than expecting a future event. It is keeping the heart awake through prayer, resisting whatever dulls our love, and walking faithfully in the duties Christ has given us. When the cares of life press heavily, we can lift our souls to the Lord, trusting his mercy and allowing his promised justice to form our choices today.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, when the world is troubled and my heart is unsettled, teach me to look toward you with steady hope. Keep me from being weighed down by excess, fear, or the cares that make me forget your presence. Guide me in your truth and lead me along the path of humility. Make my charity sincere and generous toward one another and toward all. Strengthen my heart in holiness, so that I may remain faithful in prayer and ready to welcome your coming. Let your mercy shape my life, and let your salvation be my deepest confidence. Amen.
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