1 Sunday Advent, year C | Jer 33:14–16; 1 Thess 3:12–4:2; Lk 21:25–36
During this season of Advent, we pray that the life of Christ may be born anew in our hearts, especially in circumstances that seem hopeless and lifeless. As the mystic Angelus Silesius once wrote,“Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem – but all in vain until He is born in me.”
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Christ the King, year B
We can feel powerless and insignificant when we consider the incredible wealth and oppressive and even violent power of some people. The Solemnity of Christ the King reminds us that Jesus exercises ultimate power and influence in an unexpected way, through selfless service to the least among us. When we follow Jesus' call to love others as He has loved us, our actions truly has significance now and forever.
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33 Sunday OT, year B | Dn 12:1–3; Mk 13:24–32
Apocalyptic literature, like we find in the first reading and Gospel today (Dn 12:1–3; Mk 13:24–32), are some of the strangest and most difficult to decipher genres in the Bible. At their core, these texts are meant to inspire hope in a persecuted community. They convey that God is in control and therefore their suffering will not last forever. These texts encourage the community to live in faithfulness to the covenant. The Gospel in particular reminds us that Jesus is a light in our darkness.
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