Sunday Reflection – 27 November 2022

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Also Read: Mass Readings for 27 November 2022 Homily for 27 November 2022 – Sunday

First Reading: Isaiah 2: 1-5

He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. (4)

We await the Lord’s Day in happy anticipation -The day when weapons will be turned into equipment for the common good. These scenes may not seem conceivable right now, but in God’s light; things unseen will come to light. “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.” (1Cor 4:5) Therefore we need not fight every battle that comes our way, the Lord goes before us. We do not need to prove anything to anyone, so in the bargain, we don’t judge anyone. 

In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 122: 1-9

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” (1)

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good. (9)

Amen!

Second Reading: Romans 13: 11-14

Let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (13, 14)

How easy or difficult is it to succumb to the desires of the flesh? How easy or difficult is it to give in to the arrows of jealousy or hurt? We can keep adding our own daily attacks to this list. The key is to begin recognizing that the attempts at dislodging our peace are the weapons of an old enemy. He uses the same old tricks in the same old manner, every time! We make provision for him in our unforgiving hearts. The hurt can soon fester into bitterness and strife. We must leave these battles to the Lord.

As we begin to ask the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives in every moment of our daily lives, we will see little victories on our way.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!

Gospel: Matthew 24: 37-44

Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (42)

We know that when Noah entered the ark (39) people thought he was foolish. We must not only be prepared for the last day, but we must also remain prepared each day. Because the Lord visits us every day! We do not need a grand ark or an Armageddon-like scene before our eyes to know this. The little things we face today, the spiritual warfare that we take up as soldiers of the Lord’s army, prepares us for HIS final coming. On that day we will not be afraid because we will be rejoicing in His Light. When we choose our activities wisely and use our time prudently, in love, faith, and hope; we will not fear the arrows by day or attacks by night. (Psalm 91)

In Jesus’ name, Amen!