by Joan DeMerchant

Today’s readings urge us to prepare for and be open to God’s presence in our lives. We have been taught that this presence is ongoing, yet it doesn’t always seem so. We need to work to overcome fear and doubt, especially in challenging times, but the task need not be a frantic effort. These readings carry warnings and longings, but the operative words are comfort, tenderness and hope. We wait and prepare because of the promise. 

SOURCE: National Catholic Reporter: Cycle A Sunday Resources feature series. View the full series.

HOW LONG IS ADVENT (TABLE)

The table and information was compiled by Fr. Felix Just, SJ who has an amazing website!

ADAPTED FROM FR. MICK’S 2017 COLUMN

Today’s readings seem to continue last week’s themes. John the Baptist calls for repentance and echoes Isaiah’s call to prepare the way of the Lord. But Isaiah begins by proclaiming God’s comfort for Jerusalem, for her guilt is expiated. Once again, repentance leads to joy. In other strong passages, St. Paul proclaims that God is patient with us so that we have time to repent, and Isaiah reminds us of God’s gentle love: “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.”That quote will lead many musicians to choose “Like a Shepherd” for Masses this weekend, while the Baptist’s call is echoed in several Advent songs. 

Planners should resist the temptation to use Christmas songs during Advent, even though they are being played in malls and street corners and on the radio and in Christmas concerts throughout December. We cannot control secular society (there is no point in berating people for commercializing Christmas), but we should be faithful to our own tradition in keeping Advent as a time to prepare. Let Advent be Advent! We need the time to prepare for the actual feast of Christmas.

If you didn’t have a penance service last week, today’s Scripture texts could be used to shape one for this week. Try to find ways to invite people to gather for reconciliation, as a time to prepare their hearts for Christmas but also as a time for joyful thanksgiving for God’s constant mercy. I suspect that our success in helping people appreciate this sacrament properly will advance in direct proportion with people coming to really appreciate God’s constant mercy and love. In the midst of all the pre-Christmas rush, invite them to gather for an evening of reflection and prayer leading to reconciliation and peace.

Planners might remember that Advent is a good time for lament. Lament is a common theme in the psalms. Prayers of lament complain to God about the evils and troubles we face and then ask God for help in dealing with them. That could be a simple format for the petitions this weekend. Identify current problems and concerns and present them to God to seek divine assistance. 

If your community is used to varying responses to the petitions, either half of today’s psalm response might work well: “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.” You could even sing the whole refrain as a response. Musicians might also look for songs that cry out for God’s justice and peace, like “O Come Divine Messiah” or “Comfort, Comfort, O My People” or “Come, O Long Expected Jesus.”