Saturday, November 26, 2011

November 27th 2011: Sunday Gospel Reflection


Mark 13:33-37

Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming.

Today we celebrate a new Church year as we begin the four week season of Advent. We journey over these next four weeks with the Shepherds and Magi to Bethlehem awaiting the birth of Jesus with joyful anticipation! Yet, in 2011 we do not expect to find Jesus in Bethlehem, but rather, find Him re-born in our hearts, in our faith community, in the poor, the Scriptures, and in the Eucharist. This presence of Jesus is no less real than when He was born in Bethlehem. Jesus is still alive and has promised that He will always be with us.

In the Gospel today Jesus reminds His disciples to be watchful and alert. This passage foreshadows the later scene when his Apostles fall asleep while Jesus is in the Garden praying before His arrest, yet also speaks to us directly. Watch therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming. We know that in four weeks we will get dressed up and join family at Christmas Mass, open presents, eat too much food, etc.  Christmas is predictable.  Yet we are reminded that preparing for Christmas, Christ’s coming, is something that is ongoing and unpredictable.

We as Christians are waiting for Jesus to come in glory to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end. We do not know when this will happen but prepare for Jesus to come again by making Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. How do we do this? We prepare for Jesus’ coming by making Him more present here on earth. This means living in community, taking care of the poor, praying with the Scriptures, and receiving in the Eucharist.

As we light candles on the Advent wreath each week leading up to Christmas let us pray that as the light grows brighter so too the presence of the Light of the World, Jesus, will be made brighter in our lives to shine on everyone we meet.

Upcoming Advent Events at Our Lady of Mount Carmel!
December 4th, 6:00pm: Ecumenical Christmas Caroling
December 11th/12th: Parent Connection during RE sessions
December 13th 6:00pm: Christmas Giving Tree Wrapping Party
December 19th, 7:00pm: Parish-wide Advent Reconciliation Service
December 24th, Christmas Eve Gospel Enactment during the 5:30pm Mass

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