1st Sunday of Advent
30th November 2025
Lectionary Readings: Is 2:1 – 5; Ps 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Rm 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44
Theme: Advent – A Pilgrimage of Waiting in Hope
During this Jubilee of Hope the Universal Church is invited to reflect and live the most important moments of Church Liturgical Year which is made up of five seasons: Advent (four weeks); Christmastide (from Christmas Eve to the Baptism of Our Lord); Ordinary Time I (from Monday after the Baptism of Our Lord till Tuesday before Ash Wednesday); Lent (from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday); Eastertide (from Easter Vigil to Pentecost); Ordinary Time II (from Monday after Pentecost till Solemnity of Christ the King).
Hence, the Church Liturgical Year begins with the Advent Season. The word Advent is derived from the Latin adventus, which is from ad+venire meaning to come. It is a four-week period before Christmas but has a double significance and purpose. The Church begins the season of Advent which is divided into two parts: from the first Sunday to 16 December is the spiritual preparation for the future coming of Jesus and from 17 to 24 December we recall the historical coming of Jesus.
Advent is a constant reminder to us just like the alarm clock. We hear cries, “Awake! Arise!” The season of Advent stresses the necessity for awakening and arising. The leisurely lifestyle will wean us away from God and spiritual bliss. Instead, we need to be alert, and stay awake, for we do not know when the Lord will come. The game of hide’n’seek is amusing for children, for the one who is hiding, knows it is momentary, and it is just a game. But the season of Advent is a time of fervent preparation, in prayer and sacrifice.
As a pilgrim church, it journeys between this twofold coming of Jesus. As pilgrims we are called to go through a threefold experience of loneliness, hope and watchful waiting. As we step into the advent season and a New Liturgical Year, the readings alert us with a ‘wake up’ call. As Christmas is approaching we need to wake up to receive Jesus.
In the first reading, Isaiah invites the people to go to Jerusalem from where they will be taught God’s ways. In Jesus, this prophecy is fulfilled: he has shown the light of the Lord and walking in his light we will find the true path of life. Paul too asks us to wake up from sleep for salvation is near. The right way to be prepared according to Paul is to discard everything that belongs to darkness and put on the armour of light. The coming of Jesus is compared to Noah, who reminds us that we need to live moderate lives; else we will be swept away in the floods of despair.
Preparing to receive Jesus is a preparation also to face our ultimate destiny. Jesus himself teaches the need for preparedness to face the last days which might come like a thief at an unexpected time. Alertness at all moments with a right way of living according to the teachings coming from Zion in the person of Jesus will assure that we will not be among the left out. The late Pope Francis says, “The condition to be ready for the encounter with the Lord is not only faith but a Christian life rich in love and charity for our neighbour.”
For Reflection and Discussion:
1. During this Jubilee of Hope, what are some of the indicators that I am longing to recognize the presence of the Lord?
2. The coming of the Lord into our life is always sudden and unexpected. How do I handle the positive and negative experiences during my journey of faith?
Bibliography: McKenzie, J.L. Dictionary of the Bible (New York: 1965); God’s Word, Daily Reflections; Memeographed Notes.
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Roy da Silva, MTh [Biblical Theology],
Chandigarh, India. Bat Kol alumnus, 2002 – 2006, 2015
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