HOMILY FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR B)

HOMILY FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR B)

HOMILY FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR B)

THEME: ADVENT; BE ALERT AND WATCHFUL

BY: Fr. Cosmas Ukadike

HOMILY:
Advent as we know it marks the beginning of the church’s new liturgical year.

With the celebration of Christ the king last Sunday, we came to the end of a circle, year A. And with today’s celebration we have entered into a new circle of hope.

The advent season is given to us as a time to prepare our souls for the coming of the Lord. Some people make the mistake of thinking that Advent is part of Christmas celebration. But Advent is a separate time of preparation on its own.

Advent is to Christmas what lent is to Easter. And it is also a season when our minds are directed to await Christ’s second coming at the end of time.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY FOR THE 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B

Advent is thus a period for devout and joyful expectation.

The advent season is divided into two parts: the first part which begins from the first Sunday of Advent to 16th of December focuses on the second and final coming of Christ to his people, while the second part begins from 17th to 24th December and it serves to prepare more about Christmas.

So as we can notice from the readings of today, the attention is focused on preparing for the Lords glorious day.

And in this preparation, the prophet Isaiah laments his people’s sins, but he trusts in the mercy of God to forgive and pardon sins (Isaiah 63, 16-17).

We are therefore reminded to amend our ways before the Lord and submit ourselves to his fountain of mercy.

St Paul speaks of our enrichment in Christ which is able to aid us in our waiting for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He emphatically stressed that we are not lacking in any spiritual gift which we need to enable us to properly observe this year’s Advent and beyond. And so, his grace to carry on till the end is sufficiently present in us (1Cor 1, 3-9). In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to beware, and keep alert, for we know not the day or hour when the master, that is himself, will return (Mark 13, 33-37).

Advent therefore calls us to be alert and watchful, not lazing about, but meaningfully engaged doing good works. We pray that the grace of this season may help us to draw closer to God, and become better persons.

Happy Advent and
Have a blessed week.

 

FOR SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>

Discover more from Catholic For Life

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading