December 3, 2023 | First Sunday of Advent

 Gospel Mk 13:33-37

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Gospel Text:

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Be watchful! Be alert!

You do not know when the time will come.

It is like a man traveling abroad.

He leaves home and places his servants in charge,

each with his own work,

and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.

Watch, therefore;

you do not know when the lord of the house is coming,

whether in the evening, or at midnight,

or at cockcrow, or in the morning.

May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.

What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

Reflections: 

The First Sunday of Advent ushers in a new Liturgical Year. The Church through the liturgy during this season reminds us of the coming of the Lord more than two thousand years ago, and invites us to prepare for the second coming of the Lord, the moment we meet him face to face. The Gospel today tells us to be watchful and alert, for, that moment may come at a time we do not expect. How do we prepare? Well, none other than constantly living our life in the presence of the Lord—conducting our lives in conformity with his teachings, of living a life of love and forgiveness, of compassion and generosity, of truth and justice, of being constantly in touch with God who dwells in us and works in us, believing and trusting, that no matter what, as St Paul says, “God is faithful: by whom you are called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Activity: 

Let us spend time to reflect on the reality of our life at this point in time, and ask ourselves, ‘is there any aspect of my life that needs change for the better before the Lord calls me?’