Scripture Reflections for the First Sunday of Advent

“The task stemming from baptism is to nurture and care for children so that they grow and mature and become active members of the Body of Christ living his mission in the world”

“So we need to be wary that the main project of our lives, growing in holiness, does not become obscured by other concerns and anxieties”

“We can be touched by this Love, and transformed by the Love, and healed by this Love because it is not just something that happened 2000 years ago – but an arrival that is happening now”

“So the end of the world is not a time to cower in fear, Jesus tells his disciples, but rather a time to stand erect, with heads held high because now their liberation is near at hand. This is the perspective with which we begin Advent.”

“The coming of the Lord is the active presence of God in our lives here and now as well as in the future”

“This coming of the Son of Man in his death and resurrection is in fact the climax of history, and gives meaning to all that is, visible and invisible, and in particular to the distress that accompanies it”

“we will see the Son of Man coming with power and glory. This refers to the end, God’s final triumph over chaos and all that destroys human life. But it also refers to Jesus enthroned on the cross in glory.”

"This week our preacher is Teash Taylor, co-pastor of St Kilda Elsternwick Baptist Church, University of Divinity student and a resident of Melbourne's inner north. Teash has spoken at conferences..."

"This Sunday is New Year’s Day, in the liturgical sense of the term. With the first Sunday of Advent, we commence the liturgical year of 2019. And New Year’s day..."

"At the start of this new liturgical year, we hear Luke’s account of Jesus speaking about the end to all we believe to be permanent – the earth, the sky..."

"The apocalyptic imagery of this Sunday’s scriptures directs us to appreciate the finite nature of all worldly things and the truth that the only reality that endures in this world..."

“Only through building habits and structures of love and solidarity will we “dwell securely.””

“Through today’s readings God challenges us to develop that spiritual gift of being mindful of God in our daily lives and in the lives of others and respond to violence”

“Advent is a time where we strive to be patient with God, and patient in what He is trying to teach and say to us. We’re thankful for this patience, because it’s through this patience in God’s plan and vigilance in our Faith that we are able realize what He has in store for us.”

“During these weeks of Advent, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, may we also nurture the virtues of nonviolence in our own lives, our communities and our nation as we work for a just and sustainable peace on earth”

“We draw our courage from the weakness of the child who is God with us”

"Dissipation, drunkenness, and the cares of this life might seem a rather curious trio of things for Jesus to warn his disciples against. Our puzzlement will not be lessened if..."

"Friends, many years ago, in the context of a high school religion class, a very wise Benedictine nun gave me a template for understanding Advent that I’ve never forgotten. It..."

"Our Gospel for this first Sunday of Advent begins where the readings for the end of last liturgical year left off, namely, with apocalyptic musings. We’re encouraged to look for..."

"The readings for this first Sunday of Advent focus, not on the historical coming of Jesus at Bethlehem, but rather at his eschatological coming at the end of time. Knowing..."