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HOMILY NOV 29, 2020
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What is Advent?
The Catholic Church doesn’t mark time January 1 through December 31. Instead, we observe time through the lens of the life of Christ. Jesus’ life begins with his birth, Christmas. Just as in the natural world we have nine months to prepare for birth, the Catholic Church gives us a special time of preparation for the birth of Jesus.
Advent is a four-week “litugical season” that is a gift to help us prepare for Jesus’ birth.
The season of Advent has two movements, both focused on the coming of Christ.
The first two weeks focus on his second coming, at the end of time.
The last two weeks focus on his first coming, in his birth in Bethlehem.
What’s going on in the first reading? What should you listen for?
Today’s first reading from the Old Testament is from the prophet Isaiah chapters 63-64. What does this reading have to do with the reading of the Gospel? What is the link here between the Old Testament and the New Testament?
The entire prophecy of Isaiah is a prayer for the coming of God.
Isaiah is praying for God not just forgive his people, but to come down from heaven and save his people.
What’s going on in the Second reading? What should you listen for?
Today’s second reading is from the New Testament as Saint Paul writes to the Christians in Corinth. Saint Paul wants us to ready “as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The “revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ” refers to the revelation of Jesus Christ at the end of time.
What’s going on in the Gospel? What should you listen for?
Jesus speaks of what is going to happen at the end times. He describes the “second advent,” the second coming of Christ.
As we begin this Advent season, the Church starts with Jesus’ teaching about the end times, giving us his final prophecy about his second advent, his second coming.
HOMILY NOTES
A. Is there an example of a “clean slate” in the Bible?
Yes. The story of the “Prodigal Son” is the most popular New Testament Bible passage in the world.
B. The story of the Prodigal Son The Gospel of Luke 15:11-24
C. Three things to notice about the father
First: The father (God) is generous beyond measure.
(vs. 29) (The elder son) said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
(vs. 31) He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.
Second: The father (God) loves without limits.
(vs. 20) While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
Third: The father (God) is actively involved in his son’s life.
(vs. 20) While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him,
and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
D. Three things to notice about the Son
First: The son (all of us) sins because he feels he deserves it.
(vs. 12) the younger son said to his father,
‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
Second: The son (all of us) is young and immature. He grasps at things that make him feel good.
(vs. 13) the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation
Third: The son (all of us) is blind to the consequences of his selfishness. But, there are consequences.
(vs. 12) the younger son said to his father,
‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
E. Three questions we must ask
First: Why did he leave?
Second: What is he looking for?
Third: What does he believe he will get “out there” that is better than what his father could provide?
F. Trust the process. Let’s all do the homework.
Podcasts daily (during this series): www.ourladyoftheisle.com
Want them delivered to your phone (via text) or email? www.marktoups.com.
Today’s homework: Look inside your heart? What’s there now? What do you want to say to the Lord?
G. Going deeper
Watch Why We Confess
www.htdiocese.org/whyweconfess
Password is “wwc”
3-part video teaching on the Sacrament of Reconciliation