Sunday, December 1st
Scripture
Jer 33: 14-16
Ps 25: 4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
1 Thes 3:12- 4:2
Lk 21: 25-28, 35-36
Reflection
“The days are coming, says our God, when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure…”
Jer 33: 14-16a
Our God says: “The days are coming… I will fulfill my promise…”
Advent reminds us of promises made – and promises kept. The promises made – and kept – are fulfilled in Jesus, God’s own son and our brother, who shares in God’s divinity and our humanity.
In Advent, we celebrate three comings of Jesus the Christ: in history, in the mystery of his abiding presence, and in majesty at the end of time.
We remember his coming in history – the beloved story of that first Christmas when Jesus came to live with us, teaching us how to live as children of God, and showing God what it is to be human. We look forward with hope – and some apprehension – to Christ’s return in majesty at the end of time. As we celebrate this Advent season in a world troubled with the darkness of war and violence, perhaps what we most need to remember and celebrate is the mystery of Christ’s abiding presence.
Prayer
And so, as we walk through this world, we pray in hope and
confidence: Christ is with us!
Wars rage in Ukraine and in Gaza: Christ is with us!
Thousands of refugees huddle at our borders seeking a new life:
Christ is with us!
Mass shootings in our schools create a climate of fear:
Christ is with us!
Personal Challenge
I will live in hope, confident of the abiding presence
of Christ, our Savior.
Sister Jeanne Cmolik, CSJ
Cleveland, OH
