First reading
Jeremiah 33:14–16
I will make a virtuous Branch grow for David.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 24 (25):4–5, 8–9, 10, 14
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Second reading
1 Thessalonians 3:12–4:2
May you be blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
Gospel acclamation
Psalm 84:8
Lord, show us your mercy and love, and grant us your salvation.
Gospel
Luke 21:25–28, 34–36
That day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap.
Images from the Word
- Nations in agony
- Liberation
- Watch
- Fulfil the promise
- More progress
Liturgical notes
At the beginning of the Advent season, the Church calls to mind St. Bernard’s teaching that between Christ’s two visible comings, in history and at the end of time, there is an invisible coming here and now.
Homilectic Directory, §79
We begin again the journey of Advent, reminded that we will focus during this time upon the events of Jesus’ coming with a view to the final coming of Christ in judgment. However, we are reminded that the coming of Jesus is also a daily event in our life of faith as we listen to God’s word and put it into action in our lives. Our blessed Mother was affirmed as the bearer of Christ, but Christ himself also reminds us that we, like Mary, are called to be attentive to his word and are blessed by our willingness to put into action the word we hear.
‘The Lord will bestow his bounty, and our earth shall yield its increase.’
communion antiphon