1st Sunday of Advent

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Cycle B

INTRODUCTION

DECEMBER 3, 2023

Good noon/afternoon brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are now in the new liturgical year. Today is the First Sunday of Advent.

We also celebrate today the Handicapped Day and National AIDS Sunday.

The first reading is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaias. He said, "Yet O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands."

The second reading is taken from the Letter of Paul to the Corinthians. This is the opening section of the First Letter of Paul to the Christians of Corinth; he expressed his sincere gratitude for what the Lord has done for them.

The Gospel is taken from the Holy Gospel according to Mark. In this account, we can hear Jesus as he said to his disciples: "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come."

Let us all stand to begin the Eucharistic celebration.

Responsorial Psalm: Lord, make us turn to you, let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Prayer of the Faithful: Come, Lord Jesus, save us.

FIRST READING

Is. 63:16b-17, 19b, 64:2-7

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

You, LORD, are our father, our redeemer you are named forever.

Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you, while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for, such as they had not heard of from of old. No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him. Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways!

Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful; all of us have become like unclean people, all our good deeds are like polluted rags; we have all withered like leaves, and our guilt carries us away like the wind. There is none who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to cling to you; for you have hidden your face from us and have delivered us up to our guilt. Yet, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hearken, from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. Rouse your power, and come to save us.

R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong. Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name.

R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

SECOND READING

1Cor. 1:3-9

We wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA                        Ps 85:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Show us, Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Mk. 13:33-37

Be watchful! You do not know when the Lord of the house is coming.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Be watchful! Be alert!

You do not know when the time will come.

It is like a man traveling abroad.

He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.

May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.

What I say to you, I say to all: "Watch!"

The Gospel of the Lord.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

DECEMBER 3, 2023

Priest: As we start this Advent season, let us approach the Lord with confident hope and a sincere desire to welcome him in our lives. Let us pray:

COME, LORD JESUS, SAVE US.

1. For the Holy father, Bishops, priests and all consecrated persons, may they find in us the consolation they expect as they do their best to lead us closer to God. Let us pray.

2. For the civil leaders in the world, may they serve the Lord in accordance to His leadership of unity, peace and justice. Let us pray.

3. For those who find it hard to give time to spiritual matters, may be enlightened by God to know their priorities right by giving God the first place in their lives. Let us pray.

4. For those who are handicapped, terminally ill and the dying persons living with HIV/AIDS, may they find hope in Jesus, in spite of their illness, and be treated with Christ-like love and compassion by the people around them. Let us pray.

5. For those who have grateful hearts especially ________ may this Advent season enkindle their hopes and help them prepare their hearts to receive Jesus in their lives. Let us pray.

6. For the faithful departed especially ___________ may the Lord welcome them into His Kingdom. Let us pray. 

Priest: Lord, make us experience the healing hope and strength of your presence. May we serve you with joyful and hopeful hearts throughout this Advent season. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.