FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
1st Reading: Jer 33: 14-16
The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise, I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: “The LORD our justice.”
2nd Reading: 1 Thes 3: 12 – 4: 2
Brothers and sisters: May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen. Finally, brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God —and as you are conducting yourselves— you do so even more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Gospel: Lk 21: 25-28. 34-36
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.”
THE LORD IS COMING SOON: When an important person like the president of the country is coming soon to our village, we make many good preparations for the welcome. We remain vigilant so that the arrival of the president does not catch as by surprise. The birth of Christ is the coming of the Son of God. How do we prepare ourselves to receive God into our midst? Our preparations to receive the Son of God into our midst must be greater than that of an earthly ruler. Our preparations must be characterized by being vigilant at all times because we do not know the time for his arrival. We must make the most important preparations to receive him, and that is to cleanse ourselves using the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
PRAYER: Lord, may I be ready all the time to welcome you in my life.
DAILY GOSPEL 