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What are we preparing to do in life each day?
Readings for November 30
by Fr. Richard C. Macey special to The Michigan Catholic
Published November 21, 2008
Readings for
November 30
First Sunday of Advent (Nov. 30)
Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2b-7
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:33-37 |
The Church begins a new year today, using readings from Cycle B. The Gospel of Mark becomes the predominant Gospel reading throughout the year. Advent, whose name means "coming," refers both to the celebration of Christmas, when Jesus came in the flesh, and the parousia, the final coming of the Lord in judgment over all creation.
First Reading: Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2b-7
The Book of Isaiah is the longest of the prophetic books and also the longest in time of composition to its final form, about two and a half centuries. It is the second most quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament, superceded only by the Book of Psalms. The last section, chapters 56-66, probably dates from the return from Babylonian exile at the end of the sixth century B.C. This passage is a lament, perhaps in response to the devastation of the temple and Jerusalem. God is asked to "return" to His people, just as they have returned to their land. Feeling close to God, the biblical author called upon Him as "our father" at the beginning and end of this passage.
Just like Pharaoh in the experience of Israel as slaves in Egypt, God is blamed for hardening hearts. This time, it is His own people whose hearts were hardened. This attribution to God is made because there was no rival power to God. Everything was considered to find its source in God's direct action or at least His permission.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Paul stayed in Corinth almost two years. This section of his first letter to them is the thanksgiving of the letter. It follows the address. The formality and redundancy of the first line of this text suggests that it may have been used in early Christian liturgical ceremonies.
When Paul refers to God, it is usually a reference to God the Father. His thanksgiving is in the present tense, and thus ongoing. Thanksgiving is not a single event. It is offered continuously. The object of the thanksgiving is God, "my God." Paul looks forward to the final age of revelation. This is called an eschatological perspective. It will become more clear in chapter 15, where Paul will make the clearest statement in the New Testament on the resurrection of the body. This revelation depends upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is also the assurance and proof of that revelation. The term, "revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ," refers to the parousia, the Second Coming of Christ.
The Greek word for "grace" is used to translate the Hebrew word for the covenant love of God (hen and hesed). It is the means of salvation for the people. Paul will also use another form of the word as the base for "spiritual gift." It is given through Christ Jesus. Paul repeats the same sound in Greek (a literary technique called paranomasia) to emphasize the completeness of the gift from God: translated as "every … all … all."
The two gifts of discourse and knowledge will also be the reason for Paul to rebuke some members of the community for abusing them (see 1 Corinthians 8:1-3, 13:1-2). Fellowship, koinonia, indicates a sharing or partnership. Paul's use of the word, "called," probably refers to the baptism of the Corinthians.
Gospel: Mark 13:33-37
Chapter 13 of the Gospel of Mark contains his little apocalypse, a lesson about the judgment upon the world at the end of time. The preparation for this time is ongoing on the part of the disciples of Jesus Christ. The Gospel begins with them for Advent: "Be watchful! Be alert!" The Greek word for "be alert/watch" is in the first and last verse of this passage. The address "to all" indicates an application to the disciples of Jesus in the following age of the Church as well.
The passage today is included in the longest speech of Jesus in the Gospel, verses 5-37. There is a deliberate vagueness about the time of the judgment, since the emphasis is on living in preparation for it. The exact time of the Coming is not important to the biblical writer. He wants us to be ready at all times! The focus is on the One-who-is-coming, the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a certainty of the return and preparation necessary for the arrival. It is living out the memorial acclamation by the faithful after the consecration of the bread and wine at Mass. The preparation is not done alone. It is an action that brings us together.
The Detroit area is "blessed/cursed" with Devil's Night on Oct. 30. When I was a pastor of my first suburban parish, we had already suffered some vandalism against the church building. I lamented the danger the coming night would bring. One of the parishioners organized a night watch. He was not active in any of the ministries, but he overheard my complaint. He knew that he could do something important for the community. He handed out walkie-talkies, sought out visible positions around the property, positioned volunteers, and prepared a schedule for the night. He did this for several years. The buildings were untouched, and those who had volunteered became a small fellowship within the parish.
My cousin is in the Navy, and he told me that high alert aboard ship takes its toll on frayed nerves. You cannot keep it up for a long time. But we are all called to be alert to the gradual incursion of despair, tedium and distraction, which can lead us away from the ongoing journey of faith, which we make together. If we fail to be alert, we become lost and alone. Advent is a time to sharpen that readiness, so that we do not miss the opportunities which we are given and with which we are challenged each day.
Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.
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