1st Advent A

WelWelccome tome too ourour BBibiblle Studye Study
11stst
Sunday of AdventSunday of Advent AA
November 28, 2010November 28, 2010
In prepaIn preparration for this Sunday’s liturgyation for this Sunday’s liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharingIn aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

11stst
reading: Isaiah 2,1-5reading: Isaiah 2,1-5
 1 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning
Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days to come, the mountain
of the LORD'S house shall be established as the highest
mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall
stream toward it; 3 many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house
of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths." For from Zion shall go
forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from
Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and
impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their
swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against
another, nor shall they train for war again. 5 O house of
Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!

11stst
 1 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning
Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days to come, the mountain
of the LORD'S house shall be established as the highest
mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall
stream toward it; 3 many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house
of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths." For from Zion shall go
forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from
Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and
impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their
swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against
another, nor shall they train for war again. 5 O house of
Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
The focus is on Jerusalem.

11stst
IntroductionIntroduction
 1 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and
Jerusalem. 2 In days to come, the mountain of the LORD'S house
shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the
hills.
An Invitation to go to Jerusalem
 All nations shall stream toward it; 3 many peoples shall come and
say: "Come, let us climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house of the
God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in
his paths."
Reason for the Invitation
 For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from
Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms
on many peoples.
Result: Peace
 They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into
pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
An invitation
 5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
A simple outline!

11stst
 1 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw
concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In
days to come, the mountain of the LORD'S
house shall be established as the highest
mountain and raised above the hills.
 All nations shall stream toward it; 3 many
peoples shall come and say: "Come, let us
climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house of
the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in
his ways, and we may walk in his paths."
 For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4
He shall judge between the nations, and
impose terms on many peoples.
Result: Peace
 They shall beat their swords into
plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword
against another, nor shall they train for war
again.
An invitation
 5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in
the light of the LORD!
CommentaryCommentary
 Isaiah prophesied 200 years beforeIsaiah prophesied 200 years before
the Babylonian Exile in 586 BC.the Babylonian Exile in 586 BC.
 He is the Isaiah ofHe is the Isaiah of JerusalemJerusalem (745(745
BC).BC).
 Isaiah is one of the best, if not theIsaiah is one of the best, if not the
best, poets and writers of the Oldbest, poets and writers of the Old
Testament.Testament.
 The reading focuses on a veryThe reading focuses on a very
importantimportant placeplace in the life of thein the life of the
Jewish people:Jewish people: JerusalemJerusalem..
 In v.1, Isaiah has a vision on JudahIn v.1, Isaiah has a vision on Judah
(province) and(province) and JerusalemJerusalem (city in(city in
Judah).Judah).
 V.2 indicates the vision of God forV.2 indicates the vision of God for
the Temple ofthe Temple of Jerusalem:Jerusalem:
 to be on the highest mountain //to be on the highest mountain //
raised above the hillsraised above the hills (exalted, no(exalted, no
one can surpass its height nor itsone can surpass its height nor its
prestige)prestige)
 V.2b indicates all nationsV.2b indicates all nations (not just the(not just the
Jews but also the Gentiles)Jews but also the Gentiles) going to it //going to it //
many peoples shall come v.3many peoples shall come v.3
(universality of salvation)(universality of salvation)

11stst
Result: Peace
again.
An invitation
 V.3b speaks of an invitation to goV.3b speaks of an invitation to go
toto JerusalemJerusalem (the Lord’s mountain);(the Lord’s mountain);
to the house ….to the house …. (Temple)(Temple)
 The purpose of going to theThe purpose of going to the
TempleTemple::
 to be instructed.to be instructed.
 Instruction is not only for theInstruction is not only for the
Jews, but also for the Gentiles.Jews, but also for the Gentiles.
 Why the need to be instructed?Why the need to be instructed?
 to walk in God’s pathsto walk in God’s paths (to do(to do
what is right and just according towhat is right and just according to
God’s standard)God’s standard)
 V.3b is in parallel form: from ZionV.3b is in parallel form: from Zion
shall go forth instruction // word ofshall go forth instruction // word of
the Lord fromthe Lord from JerusalemJerusalem..
 We find instruction (Torah) and/orWe find instruction (Torah) and/or
word of God inword of God in JerusalemJerusalem = Zion.= Zion.

11stst
Result: Peace
again.
An invitation
 V.4 talks of God’s power to give
judgment. God is in-charge of all.
 It is presented in parallel form
again: judge between nations //
 V.4b concretizes the response of
the people streaming to
Jerusalem to listen to God’s
word:
 They turn the swords into
plowshares // spears to pruning
hooks.
 They convert machineries of
death to machineries of life.
 No more wars (destruction) but
production of food.
 No one will waste time training for
war, but everyone will go to the
field to plant and harvest.
 V.5 goes back to the Israelites
(house of Jacob). They are also
invited to do God’s will.

Reflections on the 1Reflections on the 1stst
readingreading
 Jerusalem is a symbolic point of convergence of peoples.Jerusalem is a symbolic point of convergence of peoples.
 Where is our own Jerusalem?Where is our own Jerusalem?
 A place to converge with other people.A place to converge with other people.
 A place to get instructions.A place to get instructions.
 A place to be converted, for transformation.A place to be converted, for transformation.
 For us, Christians and Catholics, the place should be ourFor us, Christians and Catholics, the place should be our
own churches / parishes.own churches / parishes.
 When we go to our churches and be with other Christians,When we go to our churches and be with other Christians,
we must set our hearts and minds to listen to thewe must set our hearts and minds to listen to the
teachings of God, to make peace, and to be productive.teachings of God, to make peace, and to be productive.
 We don’t go there as kings and queens, and warlords.We don’t go there as kings and queens, and warlords.
 We fail as Christians when we cause divisions in theWe fail as Christians when we cause divisions in the
Church.Church.
 We must approach the church with pure hearts.We must approach the church with pure hearts.

Resp. Ps 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9Resp. Ps 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
 R.R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
1 I rejoiced because they said to me,1 I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity.3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity.
4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD.4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD.
4 According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.4 According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.
 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper!6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper!
7 May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings.7 May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings.
8 Because of my brothers and friends I will say, “Peace be within you!”8 Because of my brothers and friends I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I will pray for your good.9 Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I will pray for your good.

Resp. Ps 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9Resp. Ps 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
 R.R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of theLet us go rejoicing to the house of the
Lord.Lord.
1 I rejoiced because they said to me,1 I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the“We will go up to the house of the
LORD.”LORD.”
2 And now we have set foot within your2 And now we have set foot within your
gates, O Jerusalem.gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact
unity.unity.
4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the
LORD.LORD.
4 According to the decree for Israel, to4 According to the decree for Israel, to
give thanks to the name of the LORD.give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats
for the house of David.for the house of David.
 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who
love you prosper!love you prosper!
7 May peace be within your walls, prosperity in7 May peace be within your walls, prosperity in
your buildings.your buildings.
8 Because of my brothers and friends I will say,8 Because of my brothers and friends I will say,
“Peace be within you!”“Peace be within you!”
9 Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I9 Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I
will pray for your good.will pray for your good.
Commentary
 In v.1, the psalmist rejoices when invited
to join a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
 In v.2, the psalmist describes the
pilgrims and himself as already in
Jerusalem. Imagine their joy!
 Vv.3-4 describe Jerusalem:
 City with compact unity (everything is there)
 Destination of the 12 tribes of Israel
 Vv.4-5 tell of the reason for going to
Jerusalem:
 To give thanks (praise) the Lord
 To obtain justice.
 Vv.6-7 invite people to wish Jerusalem
well: peace and prosperity; prosperity
also to those who love the city.
 Vv.8-9 continue the wish for Jerusalem.
In the Temple (house of God), the
psalmist promises to pray for those who
have affection for the holy city.

Reflections on the PsalmReflections on the Psalm
 Have you joined a pilgrimage?
 Lucky are we when we are invited to join people
in their journey and we respond.
 We must consider it a big honor to pray in God’s
Temple (now our churches).
 We pray for peace.
 We pray that God may spare us and our
churches from internal dissension and
destruction.
As a Church, we are all on a pilgrimage.

22ndnd
reading: Romans 13,11-14reading: Romans 13,11-14
 11 You know the time; it is the hour now for you
to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer
now than when we first believed; 12 the night is
advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw
off the works of darkness (and) put on the armor
of light; 13 let us conduct ourselves properly as
in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in
promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and
jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the
flesh.

22ndnd
 11 You know the time; it is the hour now for you
to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer
now than when we first believed; 12 the night is
advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw
off the works of darkness (and) put on the armor
of light; 13 let us conduct ourselves properly as
in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in
promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and
jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the
flesh.
The focus is on the time.

22ndnd
The time of salvation
 11 You know the time; it is the hour now for you to
awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than
when we first believed; 12 the night is advanced, the
day is at hand.
The imperatives (+ and -)
 Let us then throw off the works of darkness (and) put on
the armor of light;
 13 let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in
orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and
licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy.
 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no
provision for the desires of the flesh.
A simple outline!

22ndnd
The time of
salvation
 11 You know the
time; it is the hour
now for you to awake
from sleep. For our
salvation is nearer
now than when we
first believed; 12 the
night is advanced, the
day is at hand.
CommentaryCommentary
 The Letter to the Romans is
an authentic letter of Paul.
 In v.11, time is kairos
(favorable time, right time).
 So, he urges the Christians
to awake from sleep (from
sin).
 Vv.11-12 also mention the
reasons for waking up.
 The coming of the Lord is nearer
than expected.
 This time is a time of
salvation, time of God’s
grace.

22ndnd
reading: Romansreading: Romans
13,11-1413,11-14
The imperatives (+ and
-)
 Let us then throw off the
works of darkness (and)
put on the armor of light;
 13 let us conduct
ourselves properly as in
the day, not in orgies and
drunkenness, not in
promiscuity and
licentiousness, not in
rivalry and jealousy.
 14 But put on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and make
no provision for the
desires of the flesh.
 V.12b contains our proper response
in the form of imperatives.
 Let us throw off works of darkness
 Let us put on the armor of light
 Let us conduct ourselves properly…
 Let us not conduct ourselves in
 Orgies (excessive eating, feasting,
carousing, malandi)
 Drunkenness (intoxication,
paglalasing, substance abuse, intake
of prohibited drugs)
 Promiscuity (sexual excesses with
anyone, maniac, over-indulgent)
 Licentiousness (sensuality, taking
too much freedom, abuse of freedom,
no dress code, immodest)
 Rivalry (strife, discord, destructive
competition)
 Jealousy (factionalism, party strife,
inggitan)
 Put on the Lord Jesus
 Make no provision for the desires of
the flesh. (Don’t allow your desires
[lust] to work on you.)

Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd
readingreading
 We, Christians, who wait for the Lord’s coming
should spend no time to fool around.
 We should concentrate on doing what is good.
 We avoid what is evil.
 satisfying our appetites for food, for liquor, for sex, for
illicit relationships and for too much freedom
 Christians should, likewise, avoid rivalries and
jealousies, which strain relationships and harmony
in the community.
 These are the ways we best prepare for the Lord’s
coming.

Gospel reading: Matthew 24,37-44Gospel reading: Matthew 24,37-44
 37 Jesus said to his disciples, “As it was in the days of
Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38
In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day
that Noah entered the ark. 39 They did not know until
the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be
(also) at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will
be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be
taken, and one will be left. 42 Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known
the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would
have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.
44 So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you
do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

 37 Jesus said to his disciples, “As it was in the days of
Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38
In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day
that Noah entered the ark. 39 They did not know until
the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be
(also) at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will
be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be
taken, and one will be left. 42 Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known
the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would
have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.
44 So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you
do not expect, the Son of Man will come.
The focus is on the coming of the Lord.

Similarity between Noah’s Flood and the coming of Jesus
 37 Jesus said to his disciples, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it
will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
 38 In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered
the ark. 39 They did not know until the flood came and carried them
all away.
 So will it be (also) at the coming of the Son of Man.
 40 Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one
will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be
taken, and one will be left.
The Challenge
 42 Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your
Lord will come. 43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had
known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have
stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.
 44 So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not
expect, the Son of Man will come.
A simple outline!

Similarity between Noah’s Flood and
the coming of Jesus
 37 Jesus said to his disciples, “As it was
in the days of Noah, so it will be at the
coming of the Son of Man.
 38 In (those) days before the flood, they
were eating and drinking, marrying and
giving in marriage, up to the day that
Noah entered the ark. 39 They did not
know until the flood came and carried
them all away.
 So will it be (also) at the coming of the
Son of Man.
 40 Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be
left. 41 Two women will be grinding
at the mill; one will be taken, and
one will be left.
The Challenge
 42 Therefore, stay awake! For you do not
know on which day your Lord will come.
43 Be sure of this: if the master of the
house had known the hour of night when
the thief was coming, he would have
stayed awake and not let his house be
broken into.
 44 So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son
of Man will come.
Commentary
 The evangelist of the liturgical year A is
Matthew.
 Year A begins with the 1st
Sunday of
Advent.
 V.37 compares the coming of Christ to the
coming of Noah’s flood. People will be
caught unaware.
 They are not prepared because of their
immoral lives. V.38
 Eating and drinking
 Marrying and giving in marriage
(remember Gen 6,1-4) = titanic lust
 Their vices keep them ignorant of the
impending disaster. V.39
 At Christ’s coming, there will be no flood,
but separation. V1.40-41
 V.42 expresses the main challenge when
Christ comes again.
 Vigilance
 Staying awake
 Be prepared for the surprise.
 Christ’s coming is unpredictable. V.44

Reflections on the gospel readingReflections on the gospel reading
 The message is vigilance.
 Since Christ’s coming is unpredictable, each one should be
ready for it.
 Vigilance consists in living moral lives, life of love and
service.
 It is mastering our urges, carnal desires and violent
tendencies.
 Christians should not die in mortal sin.

Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmTying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 The first reading talks about the day when peoples go to Jerusalem
for instructions.
 The psalm talks about going to Jerusalem.
 The second reading talks about the nearness of time and having the
correct / right behavior.
 The gospel reading talks about the unpredictability of Christ’s
coming and, therefore, Christians should be vigilant.
 The readings propose an appropriate behavior in view of the unpredictable
coming of Christ.
 Precisely, no one knows the exact time so that each one should behave all
the time, not shortly before he comes.

How to develop your homily / sharingHow to develop your homily / sharing
 Make a comment first on what this Advent season is all
about.
 Preparation for a meaningful celebration of the birth of
Christ, a preparation for the coming of Christ.
 Those who don’t know the meaning of Advent follow the
commercialized way of preparing for Christmas.
 It is always important to be taught by the Church and
Scriptures to make this spiritual Christmas celebration truly
meaningful.
 The big word in this season is VIGILANCE.

 Based on the 1st
reading, vigilance means:
Listening to the Word of God (to be God’s true
student / disciple)
Converting weapons of war to farm
implements (to be food producer not destroyer).
Converting feelings of hostility to feelings of
love and forgiveness.
Being dialogical, ecumenical and inclusive
Thinking universal, embracing everyone.

 Based on the 2nd
reading, vigilance means:
Abandoning vices and excesses
Adopting righteous living
Living in moderation
Fighting against addictions
Exercising self-control
Living in the Spirit, not in the flesh
It is discerning God’s presence in our
midst.

Based on the gospel reading, vigilance means:
 Being mindful of what will happen
 Again, avoiding what the world dictates:
Drinking more liquor (drunkenness)
Having fun to the max, “It’s holiday season.”
Concentrating on the externals: new
Christmas lights, more decors, excessive food
during Christmas parties.
No mass. Christless Christmas.
 Not playing games with evil.

 In our churches, we avoid over decorating.
 Our churches are becoming like malls (with so
many Christmas lights and Christmas decors of all
kinds).
 They distract the solemnity of our liturgical
celebrations.
 Let us consult the liturgists. They can help us
determine what is distasteful and un-liturgical.
 Let us not allow the externals to distract us from
experiencing what is spiritual.

The eucharist is a celebration in
anticipation of the Lord’s coming.
The eucharist prepares us for the Lord’s
final coming.
In the eucharist, Jesus comes to us who
are prepared to meet him through our
conversion.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace
 Sexual misconduct
 Child abuse
 Immoral, indulgent
 Fun houses
 Prostitution
 White slavery
 Wife battering
 Sexual harassments
 Drug pushing
 Alcoholism
 No fear of God’s
judgment
 Vigilance
 Mindful of Christ’s
coming/presence
 Discerning the will of God
 Reception of the
sacraments
 Knows how to avoid
excesses
 Moderation
 Knows his priorities
 Avoids bad company

Suggested SongsSuggested Songs
Jubilee Song
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbUytEJlnbE
Sigaw ng Jubileo
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrC0DfQ1IeQ
Road to Freedom by Sr. Mirriam Therese, MM
Tell the World of His Love
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pVNNgzv4a0

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