FIRST ADVENT (B)
Sunday 3 December 2017
The Examen How have I lived out last week’s Gospel message? … What was tough? … What was rewarding? The Introduction Who is the gatekeeper Jesus speaks of in today’s Gospel? It’s you! The time is now to do the right thing; to say, ‘I love you,’ to those whom you love; and to offer hope to friends who aren’t happy. Today’s Gospel is like the adage, live each day as if it is your last. However, in Christian hope the reality is we all need to exemplify, at all times, the presence of Christ in our hearts. In your words, thoughts, and actions, are you constantly ‘on watch’? The Call to Prayer Leader:
Your presence is revealed in the light of hope, O God. The light of hope shines brightly.
All:
Joyfully we worship, for your grateful gift of Jesus is at hand.
Leader:
The light of hope overcomes the darkness.
All:
Joyfully we know that the powerful ones, and the terror-bringers, will not have their own way.
Leader:
The light of hope reveals the needs of home and community.
All:
Joyfully we work to support the downhearted, and to show friendship to the lonely.
Leader:
Your presence is revealed in the light of hope, O God.
All:
The light of hope will go before us on our Advent journey. Amen.
The Scripture
(Mark 13: 33 – 37)
Jesus 1:
Be constantly on the watch! Stay awake! You do not know when the appointed time will come. My coming will be the same as when a householder travels abroad, places servants in charge of various tasks, and orders the gatekeeper to watch with a sharp eye.
Jesus 2:
No one knows when the head of the house will come back, whether at dusk, at midnight, when the cock crows, or at early dawn.
Jesus 1:
Do not let the one who has gone away come suddenly and catch you asleep.
Jesus 2:
What I say to you, I say to all: Stay awake!
The Focus
Wake Up! Jesus Is Here Right Now
Stop and think. Do you ever feel alone when you need help with a problem? Do you ever doubt whether your life really makes a difference? A lot of young people often feel isolated or unimportant.
If you have ever had those feelings, pay attention to Jesus’ words: ‘Be alert! Watch!’ Jesus wants you to know that’s God’s help is staring you right in the face. His mission for you is right in front of you. During Advent we join with Christians around the world to remember that God sent Jesus once and will send him again at the world’s end. Why? Because we need him. We need his help as life is too hard sometimes. We need his vision as we sometimes miss the work he wants us to do in this messed-up world. Unfortunately life gets so busy that we often miss the many ways Christ tries to comfort us or send us to others. Advent is a great time to slow down and be watchful. When you hurt, be alert – Christ is sending people to help you. Pray for help to see them and the humility to accept their help. When others hurt, Christ wants to send you. Like the servants in Mark’s Gospel, Christ has important work for you to do in healing this broken world. Pray for help to see those people whose lives you can change. During Advent actively look for how much Christ loves you. Let Advent remind you that Jesus really comes into the world every day. But we miss that unless we watch for Christ’s love, and help others in Christ’s name. The Music Connection (Sunday’s Song) ‘ALASKA’
Maggie Rogers
The Season of Advent is about waking up to what is happening in the world around us. It is easy to put off unpleasant issues and it can be challenging to convince others of a problem we see. ‘Alaska’ is about taking a challenging path alone, sometimes without the people we love, and moving forward with our eyes wide open. Key lines:
I was walking through icy streams / That took my breath away / Moving slowly through westward water / Over glacial plains / And I walked off you / And I walked off an old me / Oh me oh my I thought it was a dream / So it seemed / And now, breathe deep
What issues or problems do you recognise in your school or community? What woke you up to the issue? How did the problem touch you? When have you been asleep to a situation or issue that mattered to others? How can you help people around you wake up to issues important to you? The Song Suggestions
(Song suggestions taken from ‘Spirit & Song’ Spirit & Song/OCP Publications)
FIND US READY (Tom Booth)
READY THE WAY (Curtis Stephan)
The Action Consider giving friends or family members an alternative Christmas gift, such as a donation in their name to a Catholic charity (Vinnies, Caritas, Catholic Missions …) or a charity that connects strongly with your heart. Try and associate with a group that assists the poor and vulnerable either in your local community or overseas. The Prayer Leader: In the darkened sky that hangs over humanity, hope seems a futile dream. All:
But we have hope as we leave this place.
Leader: Hope stirs in the resolution to celebrate the joys of each day. All:
Hope stirs as we assert our confidence in the Christian community.
Leader: Hope comes clear when we pass through the testing times, battered but unbroken. All:
Our hope finds a focus in the journey of a young couple – a journey in which we join. Amen.
The Question of the Week If a word or phrase from the Gospel grabs your heart: sit quietly for a few moments, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life. Perhaps even journal on the following question: • When I look at people in my daily life, who are the ones Christ is sending to help me, and who are the ones Christ is showing me I could help?
