Advent

Advent

   With the start of Advent this weekend it is time for us to start to get ready for the birth of our Lord. I admit I am more of a Lent man then a  Advent man. I am much better with Lenten ideals and sacrificing then the preparing the way of the Lord. It may be that I am more comfortable with repenting then rejoicing. 

    This is the time where we all need to slow down and keep the focus on why we celebrate the season of Christmas. It is not about finding the right and most perfect gift to give someone because in reality the only right and perfect gift to give is Jesus, Himself. Many time I have forgotten the meaning as I tried to get that just right gift. The greatest gifts I have received has been my life, my mother, my faith and forgiveness. Each of those things did not come from this world but from God. The perfect gift I can give is sharing my faith and bringing Jesus to people in my life. How do we do this? I mean it would be great to be able to put some of our faith in a box and wrap it up and make it look all nice and when that person opens it... instant faith but the reality is we have to be witnesses to the faith and what we have been given. I am not saying that there should be no gifts being given but know there is the perfect gift and it is one size fits all. This gift can be given to anyone of any age, any sex, any height and weight, any level of faith. Now if they use it, that is on that person. Same as a gift we give, they decide if they want to use it or wear it. Return it or just put it away in a closet somewhere and maybe pull it out if they know you are coming over. 

     As I was looking up videos for songs for Advent I came across a video that talks about slowing down and remembering what the season is all about. It did hit a nerve and makes me want to be an Advent man just as much as I am a Lent man. To check out this video you can click here or see below the readings for it. Also the USCCB has a great Advent calendar on their website and it gives you some ideas for each day of Advent. You can click here to see it. Think about how you want your Advent to play out and see what you can add or change to keep the focus on who is coming in the next few weeks. I plan on doing the same as before to have weekly meditations on each Sunday as well as the readings. I also plan on changing the blog colors to reflect the Liturgical Calendar as well. I welcome any other ideas as well as we all travel this road into Advent and then to the Christmas Season where Jesus comes to us. 

Until, Tomorrow God Bless, and prepare ourselves for the coming of the Savior. 

Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 509

Reading 1

RV 22:1-7

John said:

An angel showed me the river of life-giving water,

sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God

and of the Lamb down the middle of the street,

On either side of the river grew the tree of life

that produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month;

the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations.

Nothing accursed will be found anymore.

The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it,

and his servants will worship him.

They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun,

for the Lord God shall give them light,

and they shall reign forever and ever.

And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true, 

and the Lord, the God of prophetic spirits,

sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon.”

“Behold, I am coming soon.”

Blessed is the one who keeps the prophetic message of this book.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7AB

R. (1 Cor 16: 22b, see Rev. 22: 20c) Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;

let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

R. Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

For the LORD is a great God,

and a great king above all gods;

In his hands are the depths of the earth,

and the tops of the mountains are his.

His is the sea, for he has made it,

and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

R. Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Come, let us bow down in worship;

let us kneel before the LORD who made us.

For he is our God,

and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

R. Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Gospel

LK 21:34-36

Jesus said to his disciples:

“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.”