English Español Mary Immaculate
Catholic Church / Pacoima, CA

What Is Advent?

First Sunday of Advent

“Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”Ps. 122

We await the advent, the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is a liturgical season that we begin today to reflect on this truth of our faith: The Lord Jesus promised us that he would return; the New Testament talks a lot about the second coming of Christ. And there are also many references in the Old Testament, with promises referring to that culmination or consummation of the work of Christ that will take place when He returns.

This truth of our faith, which is also known by the Greek word PAROUSIA (advent) of the Lord, we unite in this liturgical season to the preparation for the Christmas.

It is very convenient and correct that these two reflections come together, since they have much in common, since it is a question in both cases of preparing ourselves for the coming of the Lord, commemorating his first coming, or awaiting his second and final coming. It is therefore a time of PREPARATION, and in that sense of reflection, of conversion, of refining the “sound” that our soul gives; Like the one who tunes the guitar, we must tune our life to the tone that Christ gives us.

It is also a time of HOPE, since it is the happy wait for the coming of our Savior, of which we are certain, since He Himself promised it.

“Galileans, what are you doing there looking at the sky? This one who has been taken from you, this same Jesus, will come just as you have seen him ascend to heaven.”Acts 1.11

We will hear many texts from Isaiah referring to the Messiah, both his first coming and the last coming that we are still waiting for.

And at Mass we will also hear many EXHORTATIONS OF JESUS TO BE PREPARED for the definitive encounter with Christ. He wants to find us at his coming with the lamps of faith lit, doing our duty, being good stewards of all that He gave us.

“He who bears witness to these things says: Surely, I am coming shortly. Amen, be it so. Come: Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all you. Amen”Revelation 22,20

Be prepared, because at the time you least expect, the son of man arrives. MARANATHA, COME LORD JESUS.

Readings for the Week

Monday: Is 4:2-6; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11
Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24
Wednesday: Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 4:18-22
Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27
Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31
Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6; Mt 9:35 — 10:1, 5a, 6-8
Sunday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12

Saints & Special Observances

Sunday: 1st Sunday of Advent
Wednesday: St. Andrew
Thursday: World AIDS Awareness Day
Friday: First Friday
Saturday: St. Francis Xavier; First Saturday

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