Posted: 11/29/2012 7:01:52 PM EDT
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First Reading:
Jeremiah 33:14-16 14. Behold, the days are approaching, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the good word that I have spoken to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. 15. In those days and at that time, I will cause the seedling of justice to spring up from David, and he will accomplish judgment and justice upon the earth. 16. In those days, Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in confidence. And this is the name that they will call him: ‘The Lord, our Just One.’ Psalm: Psalms 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 R. (1b) To you, O Lord, I lift my soul. 4 May all those who act unjustly over nothing be confounded. O Lord, demonstrate your ways to me, and teach me your paths. 5 Direct me in your truth, and teach me. For you are God, my Saviour, and I remain with you all day long. R. (1b) To you, O Lord, I lift my soul. 8 The Lord is sweet and righteous. Because of this, he will grant a law to those who fall short in the way. 9 He will direct the mild in judgment. He will teach the meek his ways. R. (1b) To you, O Lord, I lift my soul. 10 All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, to those who yearn for his covenant and his testimonies.14 The Lord is a firmament to those who fear him, and his covenant will be made manifest to them. Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 12. Brothers and Sisters: May the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in your charity toward one another and toward all, just as we also do toward you, 13. in order to confirm your hearts without blame, in sanctity, before God our Father, unto the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen. 1. Therefore, concerning other things, brothers, we ask and beg you, in the Lord Jesus, that, just as you have received from us the way in which you ought to walk and to please God, so also may you walk, in order that you may abound all the more.2. For you know what precepts I have given to you through the Lord Jesus. Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 25. And there will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. And there will be, on earth, distress among the Gentiles, out of confusion at the roaring of the sea and of the waves: 26. men withering away out of fear and out of apprehension over the things that will overwhelm the whole world. For the powers of the heavens will be moved. 27. And then they will see the Son of man coming on a cloud, with great power and majesty. 28. But when these things begin to happen, lift up your heads and look around you, because your redemption draws near.” 34. But be attentive to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts may be weighed down by self-indulgence and inebriation and the cares of this life. And then that day may overwhelm you suddenly. 35. For like a snare it will overwhelm all those who sit upon the face of the entire earth. 36. And so, be vigilant, praying at all times, so that you may be held worthy to escape from all these things, which are in the future, and to stand before the Son of man.” Overview of the Gospel: This Sunday begins the Liturgical Season of Advent. It marks the beginning of the Church calendar, and begins a new cycle of the Scripture readings we hear at Mass. Advent is the season where the Church is in preparation for the coming of Jesus, the promised Messiah, both at his first coming at Christmas, and toward his Second Coming at the end of time. Note: This Sunday’s gospel is part of parallel account from the gospel of two weeks ago (Mark 13). Verses 29-33, not included in today’s reading, is the parable of the fig tree we heard then. Jesus is in the middle of his “Olivet Discourse” (Luke 21:5-38), answering the two questions of the disciples on when the Temple will be destroyed and what the signs would be of his Second Coming (Mark 13:1-4). While in this discourse, Jesus combines the prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem with those of his Second Coming, this reading is primarily understood as being concerned with being prepared for Jesus’ coming at the end of time. The point Jesus wants us to remember is not so much the signs themselves but what our reaction should be (verse 28) and what we should do until then (verses 34, 36). Questions: In the 1st Reading from the prophet Jeremiah, we hear about God’s promise of redemption for his people. What does it mean to be “redeemed”? Where have you experienced God’s redemption in your own life, or seen God’s redemption in the lives of others? What is it about God’s character that allows you to trust in “a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11)? When Paul talks about love in verses 12 and 13 of the 2nd Reading, about what kind of love is he speaking? How does this kind of love function? Why can only God make this love increase and overflow? How has the Lord caused love to increase in your own life? In verses 25-28 of the Gospel Reading, which event (the coming of the end or Jerusalem’s destruction) is primarily in view? What do the two events have in common? What is significant about the way the Son of man will come (verse 27. See Daniel 7:13-14)? What should be the attitude of believers when they see the Son of man coming (verse 28)? How could the promises of verses 32-33 have been a comfort to the disciples? A discomfort? What impact do they have on you? How does the present cultural climate encourage your heart to become sleepy (verse 34)? What is Jesus calling on you to do about that? In the midst of this heavy news, how does Jesus comfort his followers (verses 34-36)? What will you do this week to become better at watching and praying? |
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What is significant about the way the Son of man will come (verse 27. See Daniel 7:13-14)? What should be the attitude of believers when they see the Son of man coming (verse 28)? Glory to Jesus Christ as we being Cycle "C" of the liturgical year this Advent! We look forward in anticipation of our Lord's coming--in his incarnation and birth, and his second coming as promised at the end of time. Verse 27 of today's Good News promises us that our Lord will come to save us in the same fashion as he left us here on earth: in power, glory and majesty. (Why do I keep hearing that refrain from Michael W. Smith's version of that glorious song , "Majesty," all the time? powerful--very powerful!) Interestingly enough, the prophet Daniel here stops referring to "beasts" in his vision, and focuses on the coming "Son of Man." What does it signify? To whom does it refer? And what would be its proper fulfillment? Daniel's connotation refers to some singular being ("one") in human form, just like us. Applied to anyone as "a Son of man," it would be used to denote that he partook of the weakness and infirmities of the race; and, as the phrase "the Son of man" is used in the New Testament when applied by the Saviour to himself, there is an undoubted reference to this fact - that he sustained a peculiar relation to our race; that he was in all respects a man; that he was one of us; that he had so taken our nature on himself that there was a peculiar propriety that a term which would at once designate this should be given to him. The phrase used here by Daniel would denote someone in human form, with all their strengths and weaknesses. It applies to Jesus; think about it--a little baby, helpless and dependent, born in a stable, who grows in human and divine form to show all the power above all powers-God-who conquers sin and death! And his "coming" is to save us; He is the Messiah, our Lord, Jesus. And Daniel's vision has the Son of Man being brought near the "Ancient of Days."It is a time of fulfillment. When believers see this coming, our attitude should be one of joy! If we have lived as we should, the day we die will be a day of joy and not of terror. In meeting Christ we will not be meeting a judge who will find us guilty, but instead, He will embrace us and lead us into the house of His Father to remain there forever. Do I have assurance of my salvation? No, but I have absolute assurance that God will be true to His word and His word tells me that if I live the life He wants me to live, when my end time comes, I will be with Him in heaven. I also know that if I do what I want rather than what He wants, and do not reconcile myself with Him, I will not receive my inheritance. 
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