Advent: A time of Hope
Second Sunday of Advent
This Sunday we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. One of the most beautiful seasons in our liturgical calendar which unfortunately most of the times we don’t celebrate as we should. We love and get excited with the season of Christmas but Advent? I don’t think so! Advent is a beautiful time of preparation, excitement and hope. Yes, especially hope. Hope is to expect that something good is coming; something great is going to happen. Chapter nine of the prophet Isaiah begins with a phrase that invites us precisely to have hope in the midst depression, uncertainty and hopelessness when he says: “The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. A light has dawned on those who live in the land of the shadow of death.” The season of advent it is an invitation to live out that light that comes from Jesus who says “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have light and life.” We are not alone, Jesus our light and source of hope, walks with us and invites to immerse ourselves in that light of the true Emmanuel (God within us). Have a blessed Advent Season and don’t be afraid to open your heart to the light of baby Jesus.
Readings for the Week
Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26
Tuesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of The Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712
Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30
Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15
Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19
Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13
Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28
Saints & Special Observances
Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent; International Human Rights Day
Monday: St. Damasus I
Tuesday: Our Lady of Guadalupe; Hanukkah begins at sunset
Wednesday: St. Lucy
Thursday: St. John of the Cross
Saturday: Las Posadas begins