First Sunday of Advent

This Sunday, we have the First Sunday of Advent, a beautiful time of preparation for Christmas.  Rather than focusing on presents, trees and holiday parties, the Church asks us to reflect on the goodness of God.  The readings for the First Sunday of Advent invite us to think about how we have been living the faith.

First Reading – Isaiah 63.  This reading is a cry for help and a history of Israel wrapped up into one.  The people feel abandoned by God and pray for a remedy to their suffering.  The second sentence is funny to me. “Why do you let us wander, O Lord…,” which blames God for their wandering.  “God let us get off track;  it’s his fault.”  Then at the end the tone changes.  “Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay and you the potter:  we are all the works of your hands.”  God will mold us if we let ourselves be pliable to His touch.  We are works in progress and God is working hard on us.

Reflection questions:  If God can mold us when we are pliable, what are the parts of our lives that resist God’s touch?  How has God molded you or made you change throughout your life?  How are you the work of God’s hands?  What work still needs to be done for you?

Second Reading – 1Cor 1:3-9.  This is just a simple greeting from the first part of one of Paul’s letters.  Notice how positive and confident the tone is.  He is sure that we are “enriched in every way.”  Read this letter OUT LOUD a couple of times.  How does it sound to you? 

Reflection questions:  Can you resonate with Paul’s confidence and hope?  Are there any spiritual gifts that you are lacking?  How have you been “enriched in every way?”

Gospel – Mk 13:33-37  In this short gospel reading the word “watch” is used four times.  This gospel comes just before Jesus is taken into custody by the soldiers.  It is odd that we begin a new year with this gospel that is “late” in Jesus’ life but it foreshadows the kind of life and death Jesus will have.  Scholars say that the first “ watch” refers to the people in the story – man traveling abroad, the servants and the gatekeeper.  The second and third “watch”es are written in the second person plural – addressed to the reader/listener of the Gospel.

Reflection questions:  How watchful are you?  Will you set aside time to “watch” (pray and reflect) with Jesus in Advent?  What should we watch out for?

I invite your comments.