Religious Education and Social Justice
Advent Week 1
Last Sunday, 1st December, the season of Advent began. Below is the Gospel reading of the day which reminds us to stay awake so that we are ready to welcome Jesus.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Stay awake, you must be ready.
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As it was in Noah’s day, so will it be when the Son of Man comes. For in those days before the Flood people were eating, drinking, taking wives, taking husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept all away. It will be like this when the Son of Man comes. Then of two men in the fields one is taken, one left; of two women at the millstone grinding, one is taken, one left.
‘So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming. You may be quite sure of this that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house. Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’
Reflection on the Gospel:
Matthew's Gospel is perfect for the commencement of Advent, as it so completely suits this time of waiting that may yet end at any time. Am I ready for God to return and claim the Earth and all its people?
If Jesus returned tomorrow, are we genuinely ready to face him? Or would we be thoroughly relying on an all-forgiving Lord to allow us more time to prepare ourselves?
Jesus has already made it abundantly clear that we need to be awake and aware that he may return at any moment.
It is very easy to go about our lives and forget that Jesus will be returning at an hour that we cannot predict. Let’s keep it in mind, however, and live our lives as if he is returning at any moment. This way, we will not be caught out and can have confidence in the outcome of our meeting with the Lord.
Our Prep children led us so beautifully through the first Advent paraliturgy on Monday. They reminded us that we need to stay awake to welcome Our Lord.
Please join us in the hall to celebrate the remaining weeks of Advent:
Monday 9th December @ 9:00am:
Advent Paraliturgy Week 2 - Year 1/2B to host
Monday 16th December @ 9:00am:
Advent Paraliturgy Week 3: Year 1/2H to host
Wednesday 18th December @ 12:15:
Advent Paraliturgy Week 4: Year 1/2C to host
Jane Wilkinson
Religious Education Leader