Part 1 of 2
Daily Office Readings for the First Sunday of Advent: Year 1
AM Psalms 146 and 147; PM Psalms 111, 112 and 113;
Isaiah 1:1 to 9; 2 Peter 3:1 to 10; Matthew 25:1to 13:
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.” (2nd Peter 3:10)
Welcome to the Church’s New Year! This is now Year One of the Year 2021. This is Advent. We are reminded to be expecting the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Saint Peter.
Part 2 of 2
Eucharistic Readings for the First Sunday of Advent: Year B
Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37
“Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” (Mark 13: 35 to 37)
To find us sleeping is the same as finding us complacent. Heaven forbid that when our Lord Jesus actually comes and we are acting as if we didn’t know such a thing could happen. The truth is, we believe or we don’t believe. There is no “I’ll hedge my bets.” We must fully buy in, or be willing to face the consequences of our disbelief.
What all this means is, that we must live our lives every day, as if it is the last day. This is probably harder for me than most of you. I am amazed at how often Sunday comes around. Another week has passed. Time flies. Writing these blogs makes me very aware of how fast time is moving. I get mixed up about what day it is. But sense I have to date each blog, and do two parts for Sundays, I am quickly made aware of another week has passed.
Jesus has not come in a universal way yet. But who knows? At midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, He may appear! Are you ready? I’m not, at least not yet. I’m struggling. But I’m trying. How about you? “And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 