1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR A

Theme: Be watchful!

 

1^st Reading: Isaiah, chapter 2: 1 – 5

Isaiah’s vision of the world to come in the wake of the Messiah’s advent is a world of peace and love, as well as a yearning for the knowledge of God and his word.

 

2^nd Reading: Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 13: 11 – 14

Paul reminds us of the rapidly approaching day of salvation. This is the best time for us to shed the clothes of base desires, and embrace all that Jesus stands for.

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew, chapter 24: 37 – 44

Jesus uses the element of surprise to compare his second coming to the flood in the days of Noah; people were taken unawares. The message for us is that we must be prepared.

 

SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST, THE KING YEAR C

 

Theme: The God-given leadership of our Lord

 

1^st Reading: Second Book of Samuel, Chapter 5: 1 – 3

This scripture identifies the leader of God’s people as an “anointed king,” or a “Messiah.” In doing obeisance to David, the people acknowledge that his kingship is God-given.

 

2^nd Reading: Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Chapter 1: 12 – 20

Paul throws more light on who Christ is: he is the all in all for his followers, the beginning and the end of everything, and through whose blood we receive pardon for our sins.

 

 Gospel Reading: Luke, Chapter 23: 35 – 43

The kingship of Jesus, as seen through the paradox of cross, suffering and crown, means that his kingdom is beyond our understanding. He is the king who can forgive sins, even from his throne on the cross.

33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

Theme: The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice

 

1^st Reading: Malachi, Chapter 3: 19 – 20a

On Judgment Day, the enemies of Christ will receive their sanctions in good measure, while the righteous shall find comfort in the arms of the Lord.

 

2^nd Reading: Paul’s Second letter to the Thessalonians, Chapter 3: 7 – 12

Paul requires us to follow his example of continuous hard work and independence so as not to be a burden on anyone.

 

Gospel Reading: Luke, Chapter 21: 5 – 19

The events that will precede the second coming of the Lord will include persecution of the faithful, wars and plagues. Jesus urges us to go through all these with perseverance.

THE DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA IN ROME

Theme: Christians are God’s living temple

 

1st Reading: Ezekiel, Chapter 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12

The water flowing from the temple in all directions, bringing life, freshness and nourishment to all things in its way symbolises what mankind would experience in the new life that Christ brings.

 

2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians, Chapter 3: 9c-11, 16-17

Paul emphatically states that Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which we, the people of God, are building. The kind of building we put up will be put to the test on judgment day.

 

Gospel Reading: John, Chapter 2: 13 – 22

Jesus drives out those who were putting God’s Temple to wrong use and predicts his resurrection. What this scripture teaches us is that Christ is ever ready to purge our bodies of all evil and to restore or resurrect them to a condition that will please God.