Advent Candle-pray for Peace
FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT: Waiting for Hope
SCRIPTURE: “Stay awake, for you do not know the day or the hour when your Lord will appear.”
LITANY:
Leader: Our response is “O God, we place our hope in you.” God of our mothers and fathers. R
Leader: Give life to people who are weary; fill us with hope in You. R
Leader: Healer of souls, renew our joy in you. Turn to us again, O God of Hosts. R
Leader: Make your dwelling among us, Giver of Life; Hear our cries; we call out to you in hope. R
Leader: We anxiously hope for the joy you alone can bring us. R
Light the first Advent Candle
PRAYER
God of light, as we wait through the long winter nights for the birth of Christ, help us to keep watch. Help us to tend the tiny flame of hope. Make us alert until your gift of joy arrives. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Reference: PrayersForLightingAdventCandles.pdf (stmaryalexandria.org)
December 3, 2023: Week 1-First Sunday of Advent. Light one Purple/Violet Candle—Peace
Entrance Antiphon (Ps 25 (24):1-3: To you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me; and let none who hope in you be put to shame.
First Sunday of Advent | USCCB
First Reading: Isaiah 53:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Gospel: Mark 13:33-37
Canticle of Mary: Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not watchful, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come upon you. (Rv 3:3)
Monday of the First Week of Advent | USCCB
Tuesday of the First Week of Advent | USCCB
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent | USCCB
Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church | USCCB
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary | USCCB
REFLECTION
Let’s strive to learn to listen to the voice of God this Advent Season. This Penitential Season
First Reading: Why do you let us wander, O Lord, from your ways…Isaiah 53:
The free will we carry allows us choices that corner us into sin. We find ourselves straying from our Heavenly Father. Let’s strive to listen to the voice of God to return to him.
We want God to see us as repented sinners. Not turning a deaf ear on a dark and lonely path?
How much are we willing to change for Him?
Imagine God watching his people below, here on earth, sitting back and hoping we don’t cross the line and commit sin. He allows us our free will life. Many take it and run, not looking back; not asking God for guidance and for help. Many live sinful, uncleansed, darkened by idolatry, absorbed in vices. We see brethren against brethren, opening the door to evil.
If we don’t have God in our lives, we’re like walking zombies, the walking dead, empty vessels. No link to Him for the antidote to heal our souls, our spirit, for salvation. So many just don’t care. Oblivious of his presence. There is no thankfulness of what He has given us. Those extra blessings and special graces when we so desperately needed a lifeline.
Yes, we have begun the season of preparation and anticipation. How are each one of us going to get ready and look forward with expectation of Christ’s coming? And what is the bigger picture…getting ready and looking forward to His Second Coming, when Jesus Christ will make everything anew.
Responsorial Psalm: I read this psalm several times over and here is what jumped up at me:
Turn to you…see your face…be saved.
Shepherd of Israel…your throne…power…save us.
Lord of hosts…this vine…protect…right hand…son of man…strong.
Your help…son of man…you…made strong.
We…no more…withdraw from you…new life…call upon your name.
++Now you try it. Read it 2-3x times and see what key words or phrases jump out at you. What do you think?
Second Reading: We were given a gift from our Father, his son, Jesus Christ. Revealed to us by the message of any angel in a newborn baby. He will enrich our lives in so many ways. And with perseverance, we will be given to us a second time, His coming. He is coming. Remember, God is faithful, it’s time for us to be faithful to him.
Gospel: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.” Mark 13:33
Like Lent, Advent is a season of preparation and anticipation for the coming birth of Jesus Christ. A penitential season to forego our sins. The Lenten season brings fasting, preparation and repentance for the resurrected Christ. Well, Advent is not too far off. The difference, we will watch grow into his ministry for our salvation.
We pray and prepare to clean our spiritual house of our sins to greet the Child Jesus.
Today’s Gospel is quite black and white. Be on your guard. Be spiritually ready. Take time to exercise the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation. Reconcile with God. For we truly know not when He comes. And the last word,
“Watch!”