1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B GOSPEL REFLECTION: “WATCH” (Mk 13:33–37).
Jesus said to his disciples: Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: Watch!
GOSPEL COMMENTARY
In the season of Advent we prepare ourselves to meet the Lord, who came, who is coming and who will come at the end of time. It is a time of joy and hope.
- On this first Sunday we are called to reflect on the need we have for God to save us and to ask him to come and fill us with his grace:
- “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down” (1st reading).
- Saint Paul reminds us that it is part of being a Christian to “wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ ” (2nd reading), of which we do not know the day or the hour.
- That is why we have to watch in prayer, without falling asleep (Gospel).
Watch, for you do not know when the Lord of the house will come. While the return of Christ takes place, the whole life of the believer must be dignified in fidelity and constant vigilance.
- “”Watch!” (Mk 13:37). It is a salutary reminder to us that life does not only have an earthly dimension but reaches towards a “beyond”, like a plantlet that sprouts from the ground and opens towards the sky. A thinking plantlet, man, endowed with freedom and responsibility, which is why each one of us will be called to account for how he/she has lived, how each one has used the talents with which each is endowed: whether one has kept them to oneself or has made them productive for the good of one’s brethren too.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus Address, Nov. 27, 2011).
- The authentic Christian is the person who lives the Gospel daily, in view of eternity, with and for love of Christ.
- How a person lives his life shows whether he loves himself or if he loves God, who has created and redeemed him for eternity. This supposes an unconditional acceptance of God as Supreme Being and Creator of everything. It involves faith which is firmly and coherently lived in the world beset by countless physical, social and moral evils.
- Thus the Christian cannot fall asleep. He has to be constantly alert and on watch. Our Advent must be persistent and unceasing and this demands a vigilant heart: cor meum vigilat (my heart is on guard). How? By putting the means – prayer, sacraments, daily interior struggle, works of mercy- to seek, find, love and please God in one’s daily affairs.
“The Season of Advent returns every year to remind us of this in order that our life may find its proper orientation, turned to the face of God. The face is not that of a “master” but of a Father and a Friend. Let us make the Prophet’s words our own, together with the Virgin Mary who guides us on our Advent journey (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus Address, Nov. 27, 2011).” O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands (1st reading Is 64:7). May we allow ourselves to be moulded by your grace during this season of Advent so that it would be for us a time of conversion, purification, and sanctification, as we prepare ourselves to receive You, in Your Son, through the Holy Spirit. Make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
A Holy and Happy Advent ahead. Stay safe and God bless. Fr. Rolly Arjonillo
VIDEO COMMENTARY
Topic: WHAT DOES THIS SEASON OF ADVENT MEAN TO YOU?
Today’s gospel reading (Mark 13:33-37) reminds us to always be on alert and be ready for the Second Coming of Jesus. The parable today speaks of the practice of landowners leaving their estate to their trusted servants everytime they traveled either for business or pleasure. They expected their servants to make sure that everything will not just be in proper order when they come back but also the produce will be more. Rewards are given to servants who perform well.
SEE AS WELL:
1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B 2023 MASS PRAYERS AND READINGS HERE.
REFLECTION HOMILY FOR THE 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B HERE.
POPE BENEDICT XVI REFLECTION HOMILY FOR THE 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B HERE.
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