First Sunday of Advent
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mk 13: 33-37
December 3, 2023 | Sunday
Be alert and watch, for you don’t know when the time will come. When a man goes abroad and leaves his home, he puts his servants in charge, giving to each one some responsibility; and he
orders the doorkeeper to stay awake. So stay awake, for you don’t know when the Lord of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight, when the cock crows or before dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him catch you asleep. And what I say to you, I say to all: Stay awake!”
Today’s Reflection:
From today’s readings, we hear these words: “Why have you made us stray from your ways? Why have you let our heart become hard so that we do not fear you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance.” Just how often do we hear the people of Israel in the Old Testament praying like this to God? With these heart-touching words (tagos sa puso as we express it in Filipino), they address God with their whys…questions which then become heartfelt cries to God and prayers for His return. In reality, it is us who always leave God for other gods. It is us who always stray away from the path of God. As we begin our Advent journey today, may we make the words of the Israelites in today’s first reading our own and let us pray together with the psalmist: “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.” As we implore God for this, let us also be mindful of the words of today’s gospel: “If he comes suddenly, do not let him catch you asleep.” So let us implore God for the grace to remain awake and ready for His return. May the light of our faith keep us all conscious of God’s return even as we daily traverse our pilgrim way here on earth. / Vulnerasti, 2023
