Sunday.blog
The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, November 30, 2003
First Sunday of Advent
Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:4-5,8-9,10,14
1 Thessalonians 3:12--4:2
Luke 21:25-28,34-36
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
Thanksgiving is over, Advent has begun and little children begin marking the number of days until Christmas. As children, we believed that all we had to do is be good and Christmas would have it's full meaning, resulting in gifts. That's not really what we're hearing in the readings of today. We hear instead about justice, humility and strengthening our hearts.
In the first reading from Jeremiah the emphasis is placed on justice. Reference is made to a just Lord. Justice refers to fairness, equity. The psalm follows up on this theme with the statement that God will guide the humble to justice and will teach the humble His way.
The second reading talks about the Lord helping us to increase and abound in love. This is a natural sequence to the concept of fairness and humbleness. One who is loving and fair would want to share the love of God with others around them through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
The gospel, which again speaks of the final coming of Christ, warns us to keep alert and not let our hearts become drowsy through inappropriate living and the many stresses of life. This latter takes a significant amount of discipline. Being too busy, though well intentioned, can deaden our spirit of humbleness, our generosity and our efforts to reach out to others.
We are no longer children, waiting to have our stocking filled with goodies. We are adopted sons and daughters of God, waiting to stand, heads alert, in judgment before the Son Of Man.
Chaste Spouse of the Virgin,
guide us throughout this Advent
with a spirit of humbleness, justice and love.
Amen
- Joan of Jesus, ocds (jmurphy at utica dot edu)
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