First Sunday of Advent - 2021

With the liturgy of this Sunday we begin a new liturgical year in the Church. This is year C in the three-year cycle of liturgical texts and the main source for the gospel readings will be Luke's gospel. Today's gospel passage, taken from chapter 21 of Luke's gospel, is clearly meant to be a wakeup call to get us started into a new year. Jesus is talking about end times and his second coming and the awesome terrifying things that will proceed it. What Jesus does not say is when all these things will take place. It is not uncommon for us to hear a person claiming to know know exactly when Jesus second coming will take place; even with the very date and time it will happen. What are we to make of these predictions of end times?  In Matthew’s gospel chapter 24:36 and Mark 13:32 we read these very words of Jesus. “ No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” What Jesus does tell us that we must live our lives as if we know it will be tomorrow. “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” On the side panel of this blog, scrolling down will see this heading ... If you klick on "Advent" it will open for you several past posts on this blog with resources for Advent. You may find something that will help you get wholeheartedly into this most important time of preparation .      .

.