First Sunday of ADVENT

 

When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year,
     she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah,
     for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first
     coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for His second
     coming. By celebrating the precursor’s [St. John the Baptist's]
     birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire:
     “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

     ---Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 524

 

 

 First Sunday of Advent

HOPE

 

Jesus said to His disciples:  "Be watchful!  Be alert!  You do not

know when the time will come... Watch therefore... What I say to you,

I say to all:  'Watch!' " ~ From today's Gospel - Mark 13: 33, 35a,37

 

"Jesus, ... the Eucharist is the sacramental testimony of Your first coming, with which the words of the prophets were reconfirmed and expectations were fulfilled.  You have left us, O Lord, Your Body and Blood under the species of bread and wine that they may bear witness to the fact that the world has been redeemed  - that through them Your paschal mystery may reach all men as the Sacrament of life and salvation.  The Eucharist is at the same time a constant announcement of Your second coming and the sign of the definitive Advent and also of the expectation of the whole Church.

When we eat this bread and drink this cup,

we proclaim Your death, Lord Jesus,

until You come in glory. 

Every day and every hour we wish to adore You, stripped under the species of bread and wine, to renew the hope of the call to glory.  Amen."

Pope Bl John Paul II