FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT - YEAR C - Gospel (Lk 21:25-28.34-36) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world.” (Lk 21:26)

FIRST READING - Jer 33:14-16

First reading from the Book of Jeremiah

The days are coming, says the LORD,

when I will fulfill the promise

I made to the house of Israel and Judah.

In those days, in that time,

I will raise up for David a just shoot ;

he shall do what is right and just in the land.

In those days Judah shall be safe

and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;

this is what they shall call her:

“The LORD our justice.”

SECOND READING from the Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians - 1 Thes 3:12—4:2

Brothers and sisters:

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love

for one another and for all,

just as we have for you,

so as to strengthen your hearts,

to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father

at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.

Finally, brothers and sisters,

we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,

as you received from us

how you should conduct yourselves to please God

and as you are conducting yourselves

you do so even more.

For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

From the Gospel according to Luke

Jesus said to his disciples:

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,

and on earth nations will be in dismay,

perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.

People will die of fright

in anticipation of what is coming upon 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.

But when these signs begin to happen,

stand erect and raise your heads

because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy

from carousing and drunkenness

and the anxieties of daily life,

and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.

For that day will assault everyone

who lives on the face of the earth.

Be vigilant at all times

and pray that you have the strength

to escape the tribulations that are imminent

and to stand before the Son of Man.”

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT - YEAR C - Gospel (Lk 21:25-28.34-36)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Today's Word of God, God presents the unusual scenes happening in this world, so that people know how to be awake to the disasters and calamities that God the Father allows to happen because of Satan's rampage in this universe.

Before God came to earth, He foretold these things to people so that they could prepare their souls to celebrate the day of God's birth as a human, saving all of humanity. In heaven above as well as on earth below, everyone rejoices and praises the immense love of God, who out of Love gave up everything to be born as a human in poverty, to accompany people until the end of the world.

Today's Word of God calls on all His children to listen to the teachings of God the Father and put them into practice. What people are concerned about is not their own safety in the face of abnormal, natural phenomena, disasters, wars, and chaos. But it is to be alert to the temptations of Satan, not to give in to their temptations and desires, displease God the Father, and betray His love for humanity.

God's words tell people: "When these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand." Because "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." His majesty is far different from the image of an earthly king. An earthly king only cares about his seat, place, and his position, and humanly protects his power and authority. There is an Eternal King who exists forever, that is God. He comes in the image of a Prince of Peace, who comes to bring peace to humanity, who blends into humanity, whose name is Jesus Christ - the Only Son of God the Father Most High.

Today's Word of God reminds us to know that: you should prepare your soul and body to be clean, to be beautiful to welcome God's birth, to bring salvation to humanity. Therefore, the Church, inspired by the Holy Spirit, established Advent as a time for humanity to calm their souls, to prepare to welcome the birth of the Prince of Peace; by being awake to the temptations of Satan, examining oneself, recognizing one's sins, and wholeheartedly repenting to return to make peace with God the Father. God the Father teaches that:

The first step is to submit to the love of God the Father, because there is no love as great as the love of God the Father for mankind.

The next thing is to pray, unite more closely with God the Father and be determined to give up desires, passions, sins, and worldly pleasures so that the soul can be pure and welcome the Son of God who came to earth as a human being, bringing salvation to all mankind.

God wants people today to be awake, to pray, to sacrifice more, especially to sincerely repent of their sins and resolutely eliminate evil acts, worldly lusts that defile the soul; hatred, jealousy, and selfishness that hardens people's hearts, and indifferent to their brothers, hardened in sin and not knowing how to love their fellow human beings; resolutely eliminate the malevolent sins that Satan brings to the soul and body every day, causing people to increasingly distance themselves from God and His ways.

Under the activity of the Holy Spirit today, God the Father calls us to listen to the voice of God through the eternal Word of God and especially through the Present Word of God to put it into practice. Only then can we hope to be freed from the captivity of Satan, have the strength and courage to stand up, return to make peace with God the Father, so our souls and bodies can be at peace, happy in the love and grace of Jesus Christ the King of Peace who is with us.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

00:00 December 1st, 2024 Prayer of Divine Mercy - The Way to Heaven