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December 2, 2012

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Opening Prayer

First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16

Psalm: 25:4-5,8-10,14

Second Reading: 1 Thess 3:12—4:2

Gospel Reading: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

This Sunday begins the Liturgical Season of Advent. It marks the beginning of the Church calendar, and begins a new cycle of the Scripture readings we hear at Mass. Advent is the season where the Church is in preparation for the coming of Jesus, the promised Messiah, both at his first coming at Christmas, and toward his Second Coming at the end of time.

Note: This Sunday’s gospel is part of parallel account from the gospel of two weeks ago (Mark 13). Verses 29-33, not included in today’s reading, is the parable of the fig tree we heard then.

Jesus is in the middle of his “Olivet Discourse” (Luke 21:5-38), answering the two questions of the disciples on when the Temple will be destroyed and what the signs would be of his Second Coming (Mark 13:1-4).

While in this discourse, Jesus combines the prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem with those of his Second Coming, this reading is primarily understood as being concerned with being prepared for Jesus’ coming at the end of time.

The point Jesus wants us to remember is not so much the signs themselves but what our reaction should be (verse 28) and what we should do until then (verses 34, 36).

QUESTIONS:

In the 1^st Reading from the prophet Jeremiah, we hear about God’s promise of redemption for his people. What does it mean to be “redeemed”? Where have you experienced God’s redemption in your own life, or seen God’s redemption in the lives of others? What is it about God’s character that allows you to trust in “a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11)?

When Paul talks about love in verses 12 and 13 of the 2^nd Reading, about what kind of love is he speaking? How does this kind of love function? Why can only God make this love increase and overflow? How has the Lord caused love to increase in your own life?

In verses 25-28 of the Gospel Reading, which event (the coming of the end or Jerusalem’s destruction) is primarily in view? What do the two events have in common?

What is significant about the way the Son of man will come (verse 27. See Daniel 7:13-14)? What should be the attitude of believers when they see the Son of man coming (verse 28)?

How could the promises of verses 32-33 have been a comfort to the disciples? A discomfort? What impact do they have on you?

How does the present cultural climate encourage your heart to become sleepy (verse 34)? What is Jesus calling on you to do about that?

In the midst of this heavy news, how does Jesus comfort his followers (verses 34-36)? What will you do this week to become better at watching and praying?

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 672, 2612, 2725, 2742-2745

There are three distinct comings of the Lord of which I know: His coming to men, His coming into men, and His coming against men. –St. Bernard