The third Sunday of Advent is called “Rejoice Sunday” (Gaudete Sunday) because of the nearness of the Lord. In the Gospel selection from John, we find the Baptist announcing the presence of “one in your midst whom you do not recognize”. The announcement echoes what the evangelist had previously said “He — the Light that brings Life — came unto His own, but His own received Him not…” Those did not recognize the Lord who have not heard the proclamation “Behold the Lamb of God”.
Continue reading about (Advent Sunday III) The Nearness of the Lord
For the second Sunday of Advent, we are given the image of John the Baptist, the pre-cursor of the Lord. The Church, in the Catechism, tells us that we should make our own the desire and expectation of the Baptist for the Lord who returns on the last day. The selection from Mark 1:1-8 gives [...]
Continue reading about (Advent Sunday II) The Figure of John the Baptist
The Season of Advent is the season where we make our own the desire and expectation of the first Christians for the return of their Lord. The characteristic prayer for this season is “Maran Atha”, “Come, Lord!”. The selection from Mark (Mark 13:33-37) taken from Jesus’ Eschatological Discourse (Mark 13) is a strong reminder that [...]
Continue reading about (Advent Sunday I) Waiting for the Lord’s Coming
Matthew 25:31-46 comes to us at the climax of a series of parables on judgment. Here, the Son of Man is depicted with images drawn from Ezekiel as the King-Shepherd who judges "between one sheep and another, between rams and goats. (Ezekiel 34:17)". The criteria used for judgment are acts of kindness to those who [...]
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