PRAYER FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Father and Mother in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love
and our minds are searching for the light of your Word.
Increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love,
that the dawn of Christ’s coming may find us rejoicing in Christ’s presence
and welcoming the light of Christ’s truth.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Christ.
(The Church’s Opening Prayer for the First Sunday of Advent — the Sacramentary 1985)
REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
MARK 13:33-37
Imagine you are in PNC Park and you hear the crack of the bat and see the ball fly high toward center field. Then in amazement you realize that our MVP center fielder is checking his cell phone as the ball sails over his head.
Mark tells us this week to be alert and watchful because we never know when we will hear the crack of the bat. Be ready this week to experience how great it is to be alive. Don’t let the ball sail over your head. Be alert. God is looking for ways to break into your life.