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Gospel Reading for December 1, 2024 – Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36
CONSCIOUS PREPARATION
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.”
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Today, we celebrate the first of four Sundays of Advent, which is a time of preparation for the feast of the nativity of Jesus and a CONSCIOUS PREPARATION for the second coming of Christ – the Parousia, any day and time it may happen. It shouldn’t be just another start of the Liturgical Year.
Hopefully, as excited as we are when preparing for a trip, an outing, a visitor, a meal outside home, etc., we also will be for Christmas and for Christ’s second coming. The best way to prepare is to remember with generosity, people in need around us and make them feel loved by God through us. We also remember and thank God for the people he sent to us throughout the year, people through whom we received his love and kindness.
Let us pray with the hymn, O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL –
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel;
That mourns in lonely exile here,
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell thy people save,
and give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Dayspring, from on high,
and cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Key of David, come
and open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Adonai, Lord of might,
who to thy tribes, on Sinai’s height;
In ancient times didst give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
