Theme: Stay Awake!

The season of Advent begins today. It is a time of preparation.

As people throughout the world look forward to the feast of Christ’s birth, Christian people, in faith, also look forward to the second coming of Christ at the end of time. The first reading and the Gospel reading are linked.

First Reading:

Prophet Isaiah [63:16-17;64:1,3-8]

Set in the early days of the return of Israel from exile in Babylon, here is a beautiful and poignant plea to God to reveal again that saving power that had first been shown to the people of God when they were delivered from slavery in Egypt.

Second Reading:

Apostle Paul first Letter to the Corinthians [ 1:3-9]

Thanks God for the gifts poured out upon the Christians of the city Corinth, which serve as confirmation that they have responded to Paul’s preaching of the Good News, and that in the gifts of the Spirit they receive, they have experienced the first coming of Christ.

Gospel Reading:

Gospel according to Mark [13: 33-37]

All Christ’s followers are to be alert for the coming of the kingdom. To be vigilant like a dutiful servant waiting for the master to return. God’s ways and times are not known in advance to anyone.