December 3, 2023 - One Bread, One Body

North Texas Catholic
(Nov 27, 2023) One-Bread-One-Body

December 3, First Sunday of Advent

Cycle B Readings:
1) Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7
Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
2) 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:33-37

 

An adventageous adventure

“No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but You doing such deeds for those who wait for Him.” —Isaiah 64:3

We should take Advent as seriously as a new mother takes her pregnancy. The Christmas season is not merely a memory, celebration, or blessing, but a new, extremely important encounter with the incarnate Jesus. St. Charles Borromeo taught: “This holy season [Advent] teaches us that Christ’s coming was not only for the benefit of His contemporaries; His power has still to be communicated to us” (from Office of Readings, Monday of the first week of Advent). Christmas will be an exceptional grace or an opportunity sadly missed.

Therefore, our Advent preparation for Christmas is very important for God’s kingdom, the Church, the world, the future, our families, and ourselves. “Our hearts should be as much prepared for this coming of Christ (Christmas) as if He were still to come into this world” (St. Charles Borromeo). Moreover, if we are not prepared for Christ’s unique Christmas coming this year, we are not prepared for His coming at the end of the world.

Consequently, “be constantly on the watch! Stay awake! You do not know when the appointed time will come” (Mk 13:33). “Wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:7). Make this the best Advent ever, preparing for Christ’s greatest Christmas coming of your life.

 

Prayer: Father, make this Advent more than we can ever ask for or imagine (see Eph 3:20).

Promise: “Would that You might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of You in our ways!” —Is 64:4

Praise: “Praise the Lord, O my soul; I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I live” (Ps 146:1-2).


Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from December 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024. †Most Reverend Steve J. Angi,  Chancellor, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 17, 2023."

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

December 3, 2023, One Bread, One Body, First Sunday of Advent, Presentation Ministries, spiritual readings, daily readings, trending-english