hope, love, and vigilance
december 1, 2024 | 1st sunday of advent, Year C
Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25; 1 Thesaalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 2
Advent is the beginning of the new liturgical year. In four weeks, we are going to prepare hearts and lives for the coming of Jesus at Christmas and at the end of time. Through hope, love, and vigilance, we grow closer to Jesus.
Hope in God’s Promise
In the first reading, Jeremiah 33:14-16, speaks of God’s promise to bring justice and righteousness through a righteous leader from David’s line. God is faithful in fulfilling, we must learn to learn to wait with faith and patience. We are invited through this season to exercise our trust in God’s plans of love and justice and security. The Lord says:
“I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land…Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure” (Jeremiah 33:15 - 16)
Holiness and Conduct
The time of Advent is a great season of reformation of attitudes. Paul urges Christians to conduct themselves to please God by growing in love and holiness. To achieve this goal we are invited throughout this season: to pray daily to love one another, to meditate and obey God’s word, live in obedience to God’s will, participate in the mass, examine regularly your conscience and confess your sins, recite the Rosary and read spiritual literature. This is what the Psalmist invites us to do, lifting the soul to the Lord, seeking his guidance and truth. (Cf. Ps. 25:4)
Watchfulness
The time of Advent is also inviting us to be vigilant. In that way, Jesus would like us to stay alert, faithful and ready for his coming in glory.
”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” (Luke 21:25).
The vigilance will consist of avoiding becoming drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and anxiety of daily life. The Son of Man is coming in glory. Let’s stay alert and pray for strength to endure and stand before him. Before then, let us prepare ourselves to commemorate the coming of the God-Man, Jesus – Christ in the flesh.
Living the Gospel this week: The candle of Hope.
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7)
The first advent candle is “Hope”. Hope is a confident expectation based on God's promises. It is a firm assurance in things unseen, anchored in the truth of God's character, even amidst difficult circumstances.
1) Light a candle of Hope this week regardless of what you face in life. Be assured that God will fulfill his word in your life.
2) The word of God is a solid foundation for perseverance and joy, regardless of your condition.
3) Prayer: Talk to God openly about your concerns and struggles, expressing your trust in His plan (10 minutes daily)
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac