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 during this time, we will focus on the events of Jesus’ coming with an awareness of the final coming of Christ in judgment. However, we are reminded that Jesus' coming is also a daily event in our lives of faith, which we experience as we listen to God’s word and transform it into action in our lives. Our blessed Mother of God was affirmed as the bearer of Christ; yet, Christ himself also reminds us that, like Mary, we are called to focus on his word, and that we are blessed by our willingness to transform the word we hear into action.
‘The Lord will bestow his bounty, and our earth shall yield its increase.’
communion antiphon