Jeremiah 33:14-16
The Lord will fulfill his promises to Israel and Judah.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 25:4-5,8-9,10,14
The Lord will teach us his paths.
Second Reading
1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2
Paul encourages the Thessalonians to be holy and to please God.
Gospel Reading
Luke 21:25-28,34-36
Jesus teaches his disciples to be vigilant so that they will be ready when
the Son of Man comes in glory.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man."
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, which is also the first Sunday of the
new liturgical year. The Advent season includes the four Sundays that
precede Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the
Lord. In this season, we recall two central elements of our faith: the
final coming of the Lord in glory and the incarnation of the Lord in the
birth of Jesus. The key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting,
preparation, and justice.
In this new liturgical year, the Gospel of Luke will be the primary Gospel
proclaimed (Lectionary Cycle C). Today's Gospel is taken from the last
chapter before the passion narrative in which Jesus is teaching in the
Temple. We hear Jesus speak to his disciples about the need for vigilance
and prayer as they wait for the coming of the Son of Man in glory. This
passage marks the conclusion of a lengthy dialogue in which Jesus predicts
the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, warns about the persecution
and tribulations to follow, and identifies the signs that will signal the
coming of the Son of Man in glory.
The community for whom Luke wrote his Gospel may have believed that they
were already experiencing some of the events Jesus described. Most
scholars believe that Luke's Gospel was written after the destruction of
Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. At the time, many Christians
interpreted this event as an indication that Jesus' second coming was
near.
Though Jesus predicts a time of destruction and fear, Jesus indicates that
others will be frightened; Jesus' disciples are not to fear, but are to
stand tall. Yet Jesus does not promise deliverance from anxiety or
tribulations. He encourages his disciples to pray for strength. The early
Christian communities did not find consolation in the promise of a utopia,
nor should we. Instead, we find in our Christian faith the means by which
we witness to God's unfailing love for us in all circumstances.
Jesus' predictions about the end times may sound dire, but in the next
paragraph Luke tells us that people woke early to listen to Jesus'
teaching in the Temple area. In his person and in his message, those who
heard Jesus found strength and consolation. Like the first Christians, we
may encounter events and circumstances that could lead us to despair.
Through prayer, however, we find strength and consolation in Jesus' words
and in his continuing presence with us to endure all things and to witness
to the action of God in our world.
Family Connection
In today's Gospel, Jesus warns his disciples against the fatigue that can
emerge if one becomes consumed by the anxieties of daily life. Many
families are too familiar with the kind of fatigue Jesus refers to here.
We may be concerned about a family member's health, our job security, our
children's education, or any number of other concerns. All these are
important matters. Jesus does not promise an end to daily worries and
fears, but he does teach his disciples that they will have the strength to
withstand anxiety if they stay focused on him, remaining vigilant for his
return and praying for strength to endure all tribulations. Through
prayer, God helps us stay focused on that which is most important in our
lives.
As you gather as a family, recall the tradition of making New Year's
resolutions in preparation for the new calendar year. Observe that today
is the first Sunday of Advent, which is the beginning of the new Church
year. During the season of Advent, our Gospel readings ask us to consider
what is most important to us as we prepare for Jesus' coming, at his birth
and at the end of time. Read today's Gospel, Luke 21:25-28,34-36. Jesus
describes signs that may disturb many people, but he says that these
should not to disturb his disciples. Why? (because these signs indicate
that redemption is near) What does Jesus say that his disciples should do?
(Be vigilant and pray for strength.) At this start of the new Church year,
consider as a family what "Advent resolutions" your family might make to
help you stay focused so that you will be prepared to receive the
salvation we celebrate at Jesus' birth and anticipate at Jesus' second
coming. Pray together for God's help in following through on these
resolutions. Pray together today's psalm, Psalm 25.
Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings
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