Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple (or violet) candle is lit. This is called the "Prophecy Candle" & recalls the prophets, particularly Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Jesus Christ. It represents hope or expectation of the coming Messiah.Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—First Sunday of Advent
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter Thirty-three, verses fourteen, fifteen, & sixteen;
Psalm Twenty-five, verses four & five, eight & nine, & ten & fourteen;
The First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter three, verse twelve thru chapter four, verse two;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-one, verses twenty-five thru twenty-eight , thirty-four, thirty-five, & thirty-six.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus tells his disciples to be vigilant. Today marks the beginning of Advent, the great liturgical season of vigilance, of waiting and watching.
What practically can we do during this season of vigil keeping? What are some practices that might incarnate for us the Advent spirituality?
I strongly recommend the classically Catholic discipline of Eucharistic adoration. To spend a half hour or an hour in the presence of the Lord is not to accomplish or achieve very much—it is not really "getting" anywhere—but it is a particularly rich form of spiritual waiting.
As you keep vigil before the Blessed Sacrament, bring to Christ some problem or dilemma that you have been fretting over, and then say: "Lord, I’m waiting for you to solve this, to show me the way out, the way forward. I’ve been running, planning, worrying, but now I’m going to let you work." Then, throughout Advent, watch attentively for signs.
Also, when you pray before the Eucharist, allow your desire for the things of God to intensify; allow your heart and soul to expand. Pray, "Lord, make me ready to receive the gifts you want to give," or even, "Lord Jesus, surprise me."
Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Video reflection by Father Claude Burns (uCatholic): Weekend Reflection with Father Pontifex.
Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.
Mass Journal: Week One
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
There are one point two billion Catholics in the world. There are sixty-seven million Catholics in America±that's at least fifteen million more people than it takes to elect an American president. And every single day the Catholic Church feeds, houses, & clothes more people; takes care of more sick people; visits more prisoners; & educates more people than any other institution on the face of the earth could ever hope to.†
Otherwise, 2 December would be the festival of Saint Bibiana, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 361, also spelt Viviana), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate, over her grave was built the Church of Santa Bibiana: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Church.
Commentary: Wayback Machine. Daughter of Ss. Flavian [22 December] & Daffosa [4 January], sister of St. Demetria [21 June].
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Silverius, Pope & Martyr (circa 480-538), fifty-eighth (LVIII) Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Justinian: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.
Commentary: Son of Pope St. Hormisdas [6 August].
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Jan of Ruusbroec, Priest (circa 1293-1381; Anglicized as John; town also spelt Ruysbroeck, Ruisbroek): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Rafał Chyliński, Priest, O.F.M. Conv. (1694-1741, A.K.A. Melchor Chyliński): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Ivan Slezyuk, Bishop & Martyr (1896-1973), martyred in the reign of the Communist dictator Leonid Brezhnev: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"Our evangelizing zeal must spring from true holiness of life. In addition, as the Second Vatican Council suggests, preaching must in its turn make the preacher grow in holiness, which is nourished by prayer & by love for the Eucharist."Little Flower Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)
"I ask only that I may never offend you."Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"Mark the season of Advent by loving & serving others with God's love."
—St. Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997, feast day: 5 September)
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