Advent opens with a great cry, and a great promise: “Oh that you would tear the heavens open and come down!” is the cry, of a people who need God. “…The master is coming” is the promise, not to breed fear, but to answer our cry. Advent begins, not with thoughts of the past, with the coming of the Lord we celebrate at Christmas, but with the future, and the promise that He is coming back.
We are encouraged to treat every day as the day the Lord will come; we do not do this out of fear for a Master who beats his servants, but out of love of a Master who always treats us with love and mercy. Nevertheless we must always be watchful, because we can grow sleepy and complacent, saying that we can leave this prayer or that confession or the other change in the way we live to tomorrow. Even as we look forward to the ‘tomorrow’ of the Lord’s coming, we must remember that it might be today!
Today’s Scripture
Jeremiah 33: 14 – 16
I will make a virtuous Branch grow for David.
Response: Psalm 24
Lord, make me know your ways.
Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:
for you are God my saviour.
The Lord is good and upright.
He shows the path to those who stray,
he guides the humble in the right path;
he teaches his way to the poor.
His ways are faithfulness and love
for those who keep his covenant and will.
The Lord’s friendship is for those who revere him;
to them he reveals his covenant.
1 Thessalonians 3: 12 – 4: 2
May the Lord confirm your hearts in holiness when Christ comes.
Acclamation for the Gospel:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy
and give us your saving help.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Luke 21: 25 – 28, 34 – 36
Your liberation is near at hand.
Prayer of the Faithful:
R/. Lord, show us your way.
