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| 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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