FIRST READING
“I will cause a righteous Branch to spring forth for David.”
A reading from the Book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 33: 14-16)
“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring forth for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.”’
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 25 :4-5ab.8-9.10 and 14 (R. 1 )
R/. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O Lord, make me know your ways.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me;
for you are the God of my salvation. R/.
Good and upright is the Lord;
he shows the way to sinners.
He guides the humble in right judgement;
to the humble he teaches his way. R/.
All the Lord’s paths are mercy and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and commands.
The LORD’s secret is for those who fear him;
to them he reveals his covenant. R/.
SECOND READING
“May the Lord establish your hearts at the coming of our Lord Jesus.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians (l Thessalonians 3: 12-4:2)
Brethren: May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all men, as we do to you, so that he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Finally, brethren, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you learned from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA Psalm 85:7
Alleluia. Show us your merciful love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Your redemption is near at hand.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 21 :25-28.34-36)
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on 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. Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. But watch at all times, praying to have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Year after year we enter the Advent season and, as years go by, it would seem that Advent has gradually become less about God and more about us. Of course, it still maintains its status as a period of preparation, only losing its intended direction, for our preparations are done in the markets, the banks, the bakeries, the fashion shops and hair salons. Our actual preparation should be mainly done on our knees. At advent we commemorate an event which took place in the past but whose effect remains ever present; at Advent we prepare to welcome Christ born anew in our heart and home; at Advent we get ready for the second coming of the One who loves us. Let this not be one of those Advents; let it be a time to deepen our relationship with the reason for the season – Jesus Christ.