Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent
- First Reading - Isaiah 11:1-10: A descendant of Jesse, filled with the Spirit of the LORD, will bring justice and peace. In his reign, natural enemies will coexist peacefully, and the earth will be full of the LORD's knowledge.
- Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 72: Praying for the king to be endowed with God's justice, to rule fairly and bring peace. His reign will bring relief to the poor and lasting prosperity to all nations.
- Gospel - Luke 10:21-24: Jesus praised the Father for revealing truths to the humble, contrasting them with the wise and learned. He spoke of the unique Father-Son knowledge and their mutual revelation. To His disciples, He declared them blessed for witnessing what prophets and kings had longed to see and hear but never did.
I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
Luke 10:21
Themes for the Gospel for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent
- Rejoicing in the Holy Spirit: Jesus' expression of joy in the Holy Spirit underscores the importance of spiritual joy. This theme highlights that true happiness is found in spiritual understanding and communion with God.
- Revelation to the Humble: The revelation of divine truths to “little ones” or the humble rather than the wise and learned emphasizes the value of humility and childlike openness in spiritual life. It suggests that God’s wisdom is often hidden from the self-assured and revealed to those who approach Him with humility.
- The Father-Son Relationship: The passage reveals the unique and intimate relationship between the Father and the Son. This theme underscores the unity and mutual knowledge within the Trinity, inviting believers to seek a deeper relationship with God.
- Blessedness of the Disciples: Jesus tells His disciples that many prophets and kings desired to see and hear what they have seen and heard. This theme highlights the blessedness of experiencing Christ and His teachings, a privilege that even the great figures of the past longed for.
- Advent as a Time of Thankfulness and Anticipation: During Advent, this passage invites reflection on the privilege of knowing Christ and the mysteries of the Kingdom revealed through Him. It calls believers to be thankful and to anticipate the fuller revelation of Christ’s glory.
Thoughts for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent
In the Gospel for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent, Luke 10:21-24, we witness a profound moment of intimate prayer between Jesus and the Father. This passage invites us to reflect deeply on the nature of prayer in our own lives, especially as we journey through the season of Advent. Jesus’ prayer is not a request or petition but rather an expression of joy and gratitude. He rejoices in the Holy Spirit and praises the Father for revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom to the little ones. This joyful acknowledgment of God's wisdom and goodness is a powerful example for us. Prayer, at its heart, is about relationship – a continual conversation with God, rooted in love and gratitude.
As we consider our own prayer life, this Gospel passage challenges us to examine the motives and contents of our prayers. Do we approach God only with our needs and requests, treating prayer like a transactional dialogue? Or do we, like Jesus, spend time simply praising and being in awe of the Father?
Advent, a season of waiting and hopeful expectation, offers a fitting backdrop for this introspection. It's a time to deepen our relationship with God, to be still and recognize His presence in our lives. This Gospel encourages us to embrace prayer not just as a means to an end but as an end in itself – a way to bask in God's love, to be filled with the Spirit, and to find joy in the mysteries He unfolds to us.
Furthermore, this Gospel passage calls us to a childlike openness in our spiritual life. Jesus praises the Father for revealing truths to “little ones” – an invitation for us to approach God with a heart that is humble, open, and receptive. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, especially during the busy Advent season, cultivating a childlike wonder and awe in God’s presence can transform our prayer life. It moves us beyond the confines of self-centered prayer to a more profound sense of being in the presence of the Almighty.
As we continue our Advent journey, let us seek to integrate this spirit of joyous praise and childlike openness into our daily prayer, allowing it to renew and enrich our relationship with God.
Prayer
Father, I praise and adore you. I am amazed at all of the goodness you shower upon me. Amen.
Homilies and Reflections for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent
Word on Fire: Childlike Receptivity
In Bishop Robert Barron's reflection for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent, he emphasizes the significance of childlikeness in spiritual life, as highlighted in the Gospel. Jesus, exemplifying the ideal of the child, lives in total receptivity and obedience, fully accepting the gifts and guidance of the Father. This childlike attitude is contrasted with the self-directedness of "the wise and the learned," who seek to control their lives independently of God. True wisdom, according to Bishop Barron, lies in being like Christ: living as little children in relation to God, open and receptive to His will and ways.
USCCB Reflection: Preparing for Advent with Reconciliation and Love
This USCCB video reflection for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent focuses on the theme of preparing for Christ's second coming. Drawing from Luke's Gospel, it reflects on the return of the 72 disciples sent by Jesus, emphasizing their joy and success in spreading the good news. The reflection underscores the importance of living in love, forgiveness, and readiness for God's coming. It also poses a contemplative question: "If this were your last day, what would you do?" This question, aimed at inspiring reflection on readiness and reconciliation, highlights the essence of Advent as a time for spiritual preparation, reconciliation with God, others, and oneself, and living in love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What date is Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent?
What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent?
The Mass readings for Tuesday December 3, 2024 are:
First Reading (Cycle 1 and 2) - Isaiah 11:1-10: The Peaceful Kingdom
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1 and 2) - Psalm 72: A King of Justice and Peace
Gospel - Luke 10:21-24: Hidden and Revealed
What does the first reading for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent signify?
Isaiah 11:1-10 prophesies a future leader from Jesse's line (David's father), filled with the Lord's spirit, bringing justice and peace. In Advent, this is understood as a prophecy about Jesus, who establishes a kingdom of peace and righteousness.
How does the responsorial psalm for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent connect with Isaiah's prophecy?
Psalm 72's prayer for a king to rule with justice and bring peace complements Isaiah's prophecy. It expresses a longing for a just ruler, a theme that Christians see fulfilled in Jesus, especially remembered during Advent.
What is the significance of the gospel for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent?
In Luke 10:21-24, Jesus praises God for revealing truths to the humble and acknowledges the special Father-Son relationship. It highlights the idea of revelation and the blessedness of the disciples, themes resonant with Advent as a time of awaiting and recognizing the revelation of Christ.
How can the theme of humility in the gospel for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent be applied during Advent?
The focus on humility in Luke 10:21-24 invites believers to adopt a humble and open heart during Advent, ready to receive the unexpected ways God reveals Himself, much like the shepherds and Mary in the Nativity story.
What does Jesus mean by saying the disciples are blessed for what they see and hear in the gospel for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent?
In Luke 10:21-24, Jesus indicates that the disciples are fortunate to witness firsthand the fulfillment of prophecies and teachings about God's kingdom, a privilege even prophets and kings didn't have. This highlights the significance of Jesus' time on earth, a focal point of Advent reflection.
What overarching message do these readings offer for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent?
These readings collectively speak of hope for a just and peaceful world under a divinely appointed leader, fulfilled in Jesus. They encourage believers to adopt humility and gratitude, recognizing the blessings of witnessing Christ’s revelation, a central focus of the Advent season.
What is a common theme for a reflection or homily based on these readings for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent?
A homily or reflection could focus on the promise of peace and divine revelation. This theme connects the prophetic vision of peace in Isaiah, the prayer for just and peaceful leadership in Psalm 72, and the joy of Jesus in divine revelation in Luke.
How can these readings for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent inspire personal reflection?
These readings invite reflection on the qualities of the coming Messiah and our own receptiveness to God's revelation. They encourage contemplation on living in peace, justice, and humility, in anticipation of Christ's coming.
What practical application can be drawn from these readings for Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent for daily life?
The readings inspire practicing justice, seeking peace in relationships, and maintaining a humble and open heart to God’s teachings. Practically, this means working towards harmony in our communities, showing compassion to the less fortunate, and being receptive to the wisdom and joy found in Christ’s message, especially during Advent.
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