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1st Sunday of Advent Year C

Sunday December 1, 2024

The readings for the 1st Sunday in Advent Year C warn us to get ready for the coming of our Lord, for change will come with him. In the first reading we hear that God will raise up "a just shoot" who will bring safety. In the second reading Paul encourages us to act with love and be ready for the coming of Jesus Christ. And in the gospel, Jesus warns his followers not to focus on our current lives but to be ready for our new lives.

Jesus exhorts us to be vigilant: not to allow our hearts to become lazy. We cannot be "sleepy Christians" without spiritual fervor, without intensity in prayer, without passion for the Gospel.

Pope Francis

These readings lead into a discussion of how we are going to prepare and grow and change during this Advent season.

Daily Mass Readings for the 1st Sunday of Advent Year C

  • First ReadingJeremiah 33:14-16: "In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land."
  • Responsorial PsalmPsalm 25: "To you, O Lord, I lift my soul."
  • Second Reading1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2: "Brothers and sisters: May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones."
  • Gospel - Luke 21:25-28, 34-36: Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."

Themes for the Gospel

  • Openness to change
  • Allowing Jesus to transform us
  • Identifying where we are too rigid
  • Readiness for Jesus

Resources and Ideas

Scary Stuff Lesson Plan
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Scary Stuff – A Lesson Plan on the Second Coming

We don't need to be scared. We need to be prepared.

Prayer for Guidance Psalm 25
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A Prayer for Guidance

This prayer is based on Psalm 25, which is the responsorial psalm for this Sunday.

Silly Sentence Icebreaker Game
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Silly Sentence Game

We don't know when the Lord is going to come again and we don't know when or how the sentence is going to end!

Quotes and Social Media Graphics

You are free to share with a reference to young-catholics.com . Click on the image to download full size.

Our life becomes beautiful when we wait for a dear one or someone important. May this Advent help us transform our hope into the certainty that He whom we await loves us and will never abandon us. - Pope Francis
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Set Up an Advent Table

See some ideas for setting up an Advent table in your home or classroom. This can be a space to hold an Advent wreath and other symbols of the season.

Have an Advent Prayer Service

This simple Advent prayer service will help young children understand the meaning of this holy season.

Make a Jesse Tree

This is also the time of year to make a Jesse Tree. This craft shows how Jesus is related to people in the Old Testament and is useful for teaching about our salvation history.

Homilies and Reflections

A New Fixed Star

Bishop Robert Barron reflects that we are offered a new beginning. It is time to take stock and make resolutions.

Advent invites us to prepare ourselves for Christmas, welcoming Jesus without fear. If we open wide the doors of our life, everything takes on a new light and our family, work, suffering, health, friendship, become opportunities to discover His consoling presence.

Pope Francis

Life Teen Reflection

Mark Hart explains why we have an Advent wreath. This is not just a celebration of what happened 2000 years ago. Christ is coming into our lives now and bringing His light to drive out the darkness.

Jeff Cavins looks at the readings for this Sunday. We are preparing for Christmas, but also for our Lord's sudden appearance.

Other Themes

We are beginning a new year in the liturgical season. During Year C, most of the Gospel readings will be from Luke. He is thought to have been a physician and a companion of St. Paul. He is also the author of the Acts of the Apostles. Acts is not really a sequel to his Gospel. Put with the Gospel, Acts tells the whole story. It did not end with the death and resurrection of Jesus, and Pentecost. Instead, the early days of the Christian community are seen as integral, and a fulfillment of God's promises.

Luke tells of the destruction of Jerusalem and the spread of Christianity. Persecutions and hardships did not destroy this young community. Instead, it dispersed the followers of Jesus and allows Christianity to rapidly spread to many regions. But not everyone could see that the Kingdom of God was appearing. We must pay attention to recognize it.

In Luke's writings, the poor and outcast see and recognize the Kingdom much more readily than those in power. But the rich and wealthy can also be transformed. No matter what their station in life, some people saw the Good News as a message of freedom. Others saw it as a threat. We have to decide if we are satisfied with where we are or if we want to allow Jesus to transform into something better.

Reflection Questions

  • Am I satisfied with the way I am now or do I long for Jesus to change me?
  • What am I holding on to which keeps me from following Jesus and following Him to what is next?
  • Do I find the words of Jesus frightening or consoling?

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