First Sunday of Advent
Also Read: Mass Readings for 30 November 2025
First Reading: Isaiah 2: 1-5
He shall judge between the nations and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plough shares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. (4)
On the first Sunday of Advent, we await the arrival of the Lord Jesus just as Isaiah awaited here centuries before Christ’s actual birth in Jerusalem. We look forward to the time when swords would be beaten into plough shares – when weapons of death would be transformed into life-giving instruments. What a glorious day, that would be!
In Jesus’ name, Amen! Alleluia!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 122: 1-9
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. (1-2)
Amen, Alleluia!
Second Reading: Romans 13: 11-14
“Let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling 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)
For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers, St Paul tells us. (v.11) Therefore, during this advent season let us discipline our thoughts and actions. The world, the flesh, and the devil may try to trap us at our weakest points. Let us reflect and realize our weaknesses so that we can safeguard our defenses! Since we are in a combat situation mostly, we could employ a military strategy called the concept of the OODA Loop – Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act — developed by a military strategist, as a method to outpace adversaries by making decisions faster and more effectively. As we reflect and observe our mistakes, we can simultaneously reign in our thoughts and actions. We must focus on making this a regular practice.
We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us remain yielding to his bidding. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Alleluia: Psalms 85: 8
Alleluia, Alleluia!! Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 24: 37-44
But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. (43-44)
In these days of preparation, Lord Jesus warns us to remain vigilant. Let us employ all the means and resources we may have, to walk in the Light of Christ. Let us remain united with the Church and its sacraments. We have been blessed to receive the grace of the Holy Trinity, One God Almighty, through the holy sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Let us with glad hearts, remain focused and persistent in faith. Let us marshal ourselves towards the path of our Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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