1st Sunday of Advent (Year C) – 1st December 2024

A Note on Advent

Advent has a twofold character and the Scripture Readings are chosen to reflect this: 

it looks back with joy to the first Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered; 

it looks forward with hope to Christ’s second coming when the end of time will bring liberation. 

(cf. General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, 39)

Both aspects are a cause of joy and hope in the midst of life’s ups-&-downs. Despite life’s drama and turmoil, we can count on God to put things right. Be alert to his presence. 

Quick Glance

• Theme: Reassurance and Liberation when Christ comes at the end
• Key Message: Stay focused, be hopeful, and trust in God’s promises.
• Readings Summary:
  • First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16 – God promises a righteous leader to bring justice.
  • Psalm: Psalm 24 (25) – A prayer of trust and guidance.
  • Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:12–4:2 – Paul calls for love and holiness as we await the Lord.
  • Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 – Jesus acknowledges the final end of all things but presents it as a time of liberation. If we keep focused each day, we will face the last day with confidence.

Gospel Text (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36)

"There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.

"Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will spring on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of Man.”

Overview of the Gospel

Jesus encourages his disciples to hold firm in the inevitable drama of life. Even if cosmic events and turmoil give cause for alarm, nevertheless the liberation Christ brings in his second coming is close at hand. Keep focused. Keep connected to God. For not even cosmic destruction can separate us from God. 

Contextual Reflections

Snapshot: When “the cares of life” give cause for worry, God’s liberation is “close at hand”.

Nothing lasts forever. When the end comes, we might incline to panic and fear. Rather than being overwhelmed with the “cares of life”, rather than seeking relief in the usual escapes, Advent uses the words of Jesus to invite us to stay in the present, to engage with life as it is each day. As troubles come, don’t loose heart. Instead, open your heart to God so as to keep a handle on hope, as well as on doing the right thing. God is faithful to his promises… and we have been promised eternal life in Jesus. Worry keeps us stuck in our imagination; prayer keeps us engaged in reality.

Connecting the Gospel to Today’s Cultural Context

Snapshot: While modern culture can use Christmas to splurge, Christian culture keeps a focus on God’s presence and enjoys the gifts of life as God’s gifts. 

In the modern culture, Christmas is a winter festival with a nod to a past event. It gets us shopping and indulging. In the Christian culture, Christmas celebrates what God is still doing, how God is still present with us now and into the future. What Jesus did and suffered shows that mortal life has immortal destiny. So, while we still get ready for Christmas, we too shop and indulge: nonetheless the spirit in which we do these things is one of confidence, enjoying the life God has given us in so far as we can, and trusting in God and valuing what we have even when it falls short and troubles abound. For Christians, Christmas is worth getting ready for because it affirms the value of life, even in the face of life’s trouble. Christmas is not a time to loose the run of ourselves. It is a time to sensibly savour and foster our friendships and family connections. 

Advent also speaks to the deep human longing for meaning and security. In a society where truth is often subjective or denied, Jesus’ declaration that He is the ultimate source of truth helps us stand our ground. His call to “stand erect” and “hold your heads high” is an invitation to live courageously and authentically, bearing witness to the enduring hope we have in Him.

Themes for Meditation

• Vigilance: How can I become more aware of God’s presence in my daily life?
• Hope in Uncertainty: When I face uncertainty, how can I anchor myself in the hope of Christ’s coming?
• Preparation: What steps can I take to clear away my inner clutter and make room for Christ?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we enter this sacred season of Advent, prepare our hearts to welcome Your Son. Help us to remain vigilant, to trust in Your promises, and to live as faithful witnesses of Your love. Strengthen us in prayer and guide us in hope, so we may stand firm before the Son of Man. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Quotes for Reflection

• “Stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” – Matthew 24:42
• “The Advent season invites us to pause and remember that life is both a preparation and a journey to meet Christ.” – Pope Benedict XVI
• “Only those who have their eyes fixed on eternity can navigate the storms of this world.” – St. Teresa of Ávila

Contemplative Action

This week, make an intentional effort to step away from distractions that hinder your spiritual focus. Replace one habitual activity, such as excessive screen time, with a practice that draws you closer to God. Whether through prayer, Scripture, or acts of service, let this be a reflection of your readiness to welcome Christ.

Further Reading: Saint of the Week

St. Francis Xavier (Feast Day: 3 December)

As one of the greatest missionaries of the Church, St. Francis Xavier’s life exemplified zeal for spreading the Gospel. He journeyed to far-off lands, sharing the message of Christ with courage and compassion. His legacy invites us to consider how we might bring Christ’s love to those around us, especially in our own communities.

Liturgical Calendar for the Week

• 1 December: First Sunday of Advent
• 2 December: Weekday of Advent
• 3 December: St. Francis Xavier, Priest (Memorial)
• 4 December: Weekday of Advent
• 5 December: Weekday of Advent
• 6 December: St. Nicholas, Bishop (Optional Memorial)
• 7 December: St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

BLESSING OF AN ADVENT WREATH 

Mass begins as usual with the Sign of the Cross and the Greeting. Then the priest says:  

My brothers and sisters, during this holy season of Advent we  prepare to celebrate Christ’s coming at Christmas and we await  Christ’s return in glory at the end of time.  

As we light the (first) candle on this Advent wreath, let us pray  that like Christ we may bring God’s light of love to the world. 

The priest invites one of the altar servers to light the appropriate colour and number of the  Advent Wreath candles. Silent prayer 

Lord God, 

bless your people ✠ who use this wreath 

as the evergreen sign of your faithful love. 

We celebrate Jesus’ victory over sin and death, 

and we look forward to his return 

when we will share the vision of your glory. 

Dispel the darkness of sin, 

that the light and joy of Jesus  

may shine in this waiting world. 

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The priest takes the holy water saying: 

May this water remind us of our baptism  

and may God keep us faithful to the Spirit we have received till the coming of the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

The priest then blesses himself and the people with the blessed water.  Litany of Praise 

You came to fulfil the prophet’s 

promise of justice and right: 

Lord, have Mercy. 

You come to strengthen our hearts 

in love for you and for all: 

Christ, have mercy. 

You come to bring redemption 

for those who keep vigil for your return: 

Lord, have mercy. 

NO GLORIA!