SOCL, Advent1A

Sunday November 30, 2025

See

The liturgical cycle helps us not only by telling once more the story of salvation but also by underlining movements of the heart appropriate for each season. Thus, Lent invites us to conversion and Easter promotes joy in believing. What of Advent? The season encourages us and takes us back to our original longing and quest which brought us to God in the first place. Especially in the readings from the prophets, the lectionary explores again that restlessness of heart and helps us name our desire for the One who alone fills our hearts with his peace “which surpasses all understanding.”

Listen

Isaiah 2:1-5; Ps 122 (121); Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44

Reflect

(Matthew 24: 37-44)

The ‘coming of the Son of Man’ can be applied to the end of the world, to the moment of death, or to any moment of grace. We are not given advance notice as to when any of these will happen, so the message is to be alert and ready. When have you found that your alertness meant that you were able to receive an unexpected grace (e.g. take an opportunity which presented itself, or respond to a hint from another person that you might easily have missed, etc.)

One of the enemies of alert living is constant busyness. Have you ever found that being caught up in your own agenda makes you less sensitive to what is happening around you? Recall times when you paused in your relentless busyness and were rewarded by a significant interchange with another person, a moment of grace.

You probably know the difference between being ready for a visitor and the unannounced caller who catches you unprepared. Let the memory of the discomfort of being caught off guard spur you on to a constant readiness for the coming of the Lord.

Pray

God of majesty and power, amid the clamour of our violence your Word of truth resounds; upon a world made dark by sin the Sun of Justice casts his dawning rays. Keep your household watchful and aware of the hour in which we live. Hasten the advent of that day when the sounds of war will be for ever stilled, the darkness of evil scattered, and all your children gathered into one. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

The Word today, Advent1A

December 01 - December 06, 2025

Monday 01 December

Isaiah 4:2-6 The weekday readings of Advent open on a note of hope for healing and restoration. This reassuring reading invites us to acknowledge our need of bring washed clean, our need of the healing of the presence of the Lord.

Matthew 8:5-11 The faith of the centurion is indeed remarkable: “just give the word.” What “word” from the Lord do I need at this moment in my life?

Tuesday 02 December

Isaiah 11:1-10 The human hope for harmony is portrayed in this reading as a harmony in nature itself, even among the most unlikely animals.

Luke 10:21-24 Jesus pronounces a remarkable prayer in today’s gospel, a very encouraging prayer: we all stand before the mystery and the mercy of God, thank God!

Wednesday 03 December

St Francis Xavier, priest and religious

Isaiah 25:6-10 This reading is familiar from funerals; it offers a great vision of God and God’s gift of ultimate, comprehensive consolation. The idea that God will destroy death for ever was a hope at the time of writing; in our Christian faith we know that God has achieved this in Jesus.

Matthew 15:29-37 The compassion of Jesus is outstanding in this reading: it is he who names the need and supplies the food. What hunger does he identify in us today? How are we nourished by him?

Thursday 04 December

St John Damascene, priest and doctor

Isaiah 26:1-6 As you listen, you may notice all the words to do with protection: strong city, gates, rock, citadel, forming a great call to faith and trust in God.

Matthew 7:21,24-27 It is always tempting to think that once you’ve said your prayers, you’re done. The prophets regularly pillory such static complacency and so does Jesus. In addition, awareness of local geography adds over to his words. In the Judean desert, there are dry river beds called wadis, subject to flash floods. To build on such an exposed foundation is the very height of foolishness.

Friday 05 December

Isaiah 29:17-24 As often in the Bible, there are promises to the deaf, the blind and the poor. Each of us is precisely dead, blind and poor and so the message is for us all today, if only we would look. We hold fast to conviction that the Lord is our light and our help.

Matthew 9:27-31 Miracle stories, like today’s, are always meant to be taken at two levels. Rather than wonder about the past, we could ask in the present, how am I blind? What is my need of the gift of sight which comes with faith?

Saturday 06 December

St Nicholas of Bari, bishop

Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26 The prophet raises the hopes of his hearers with a grand vision of peace and prosperity, a gift of God himself. Such harmony and well being come from following the way offered by God. Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. (Psalms 1:2–3)

Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8 Again, it is the compassion of Jesus which is outstanding. He feels and he acts and he sends out. Our need for the word of compassion and the healing touch of God is great. Perhaps I too am being called to some ministry in the community of faith or in society at large?

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025cw, November 30). First Sunday of Advent. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings

One another, Advent1A

November 30, 2025

Isaiah 2:1-5; Ps 122 (121); Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44

We seek the mighty God in the most unlikely places as a child in a stable,

and in an empty tomb. May God hear these prayers, which come from the unlikely corners of our lives:

For the Church: that we may grow in our awareness of how God is fulfilling the deepest desires of our hearts, expectantly await God’s continuing work, and learn to recognize God’s presence in our lives: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace of attentiveness: that we may be aware of the signs of the times and that the Spirit will shake us from our complacency to live life fully each day: let us pray to the Lord.

For authenticity: that while surrounded by the darkness of selfishness, jealousy, and greed, we may live as children of the light and show God’s love, patience, and compassion to others: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who await God's blessings, particularly those who are pregnant, those who are separated from family or homeland, and for members of the military awaiting to return home: that God’s comforting and strengthening love will sustain them: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom from fear: that we may know God’s presence with us even in times of darkness and confusion: let us pray to the Lord.

For leaders of nations: that their hearts may be awakened by God so that the needs for jobs, healthcare, safety and nourishment may be met for all who are in need: let us pray to the Lord.

For all children: that they may recognize all the blessings that are theirs and that their hearts may not be lost in the things that they desire: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are working for peace, particularly in the Middle East: that God will guide and inspire their work and open new doors for peace, cooperation, and economic advancement: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are ill, particularly those who are awaiting surgery: that God’s healing love will sustain and comfort them: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are returning home this weekend: that God will keep them safe and help them to arrive without delay: let us pray to the Lord.

For the homeless and the homebound: that they may experience love and acceptance through our concern and outreach: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are searching for jobs: that God will open new doors and new opportunities for them to use their gifts and support their families: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who yearn to be free and begin again, particularly those with addictions, those in abusive situations, those experiencing discrimination and persecution: that God leads them to healing and new beginnings: let us pray to the Lord.

For communities torn by strife and civil discord: that God will turn hearts from violence and help everyone to listen and work toward a common good: let us pray to the Lord.

For the gift of peace: that God will teach the hearts of all the human family so that swords may be turned into plowshares and the resources for war into resources for healing and development: let us pray to the Lord.

Give us ears to hear, O God, and eyes to watch, that we may know your presence in our midst during this holy season of joy as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025cw, November 30). First Sunday of Advent. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.