Introduction
This year 2025, the Catholic Church celebrates the Jubilee year. “Spes Non confundit” (Hope does not disappoint). This message is given by his Holiness Pope Francis. It is based on St. Paul’s letter to Romans5:5.
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-non-confundit_bolla-giubileo2025.html( read the beautiful signs of hope from nos 7-15).
First advent candle – HOPE
Advent is a liturgical season. Liturgically, it has four Sundays before the celebration of the Christmas. It is a time of waiting for the Lord. It is a period of preparation for the coming of the Lord. It reflects of the two comings of Jesus: firstly, reflecting on the first coming that is the incarnation of Jesus, the historical event and secondly waiting for the second coming of Christ. Therefore, the main themes of the advent season are watchfully waiting, preparation, hope, restoration etc.
A sermon starter:
Book: The Road of Hope: A Gospel from Prison by Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen van Thuan.
In 1975, Venerable Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan was traveling to Saigon, Vietnam, to become its new Coadjutor Bishop. On the way, he was arrested and imprisoned for a period of thirteen years, out of which 9 years he spent in solitary confinement of the prison. On the very first day in the prison his concern was, “will I be able to celebrate the Eucharist?”
His captors permitted him to write his family for any necessities. He wrote along with other materials he needed, “please send me a little wine as medicine for my stomachache” that is the raw material for the celebration of Holy Mass. The code was written: Medicine for stomachaches. The host was sent in a flashlight. During his isolation everyday he celebrated the Eucharist at 3 pm remembering the sacrifice on Calvary: holding wine and water drops on the palm of his hand and crumbs of the host. His hands became an Altar; His cell was a cathedral. He celebrated Mass from his memory.
From the prison he wrote brief reflections, encouraging messages for his people on scrap of paper, which were smuggled out of prison. They were recopied and circulated among the community. in the book “The Road of Hope: Gospel from prison”, is the collection of 1,001 messages, written to console and strengthen a weary people in a war-torn land. A shepherd from prison nourished himself with Eucharist and gave hope to his people through the gospel messages.
First Advent Sunday Readings:
First reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16;
Responsorial Psalm: 25: 4-5, 8-9,10,14;
Second reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2;
Gospel Readings: Lk 21:25-28,34-36.
Breaking of the Word of God
First reading Jeremiah 33: 14-16: A message of Restoration-Hope
The setting of Jeremiah chapter 33 is: the prophet Jeremiah is in prison and the house of Israel and house of Judah are in destruction. In the prison the prophet receives the message from the Lord. The message for the people of God is the promise of restoration a message of hope for Israel. The new promise of restoration will be fulfilled through the house of David, a branch of righteousness (Messiah) who will reign over the earth.
Second reading 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2
Here we have the prayer of Saint Paul to the church of Thessalonians. In his prayer he is asking God to increase the fraternal love among them so that they grow up in holiness before our God at the final coming of the Lord.
Requesting the faithful to follow the instructions given. The instruction given to the church of Thessalonians to live a life of holiness are:
1. To refrain from immorality, impurity. They are adviced to acquire a wife to live in holiness and honor.
2. Mutual charity: God has taught you to love one another.
3. Live a life of tranquility, mind your own business, work with your own hands not to depend on anyone.
4. Christians are reminded to accept the death in faith, we hope in resurrection of the dead.
5. Vigilance: the day of the lord will come like a thief at night. Let us stay alert and sober. Putting on the breastplate of faith and love, the helmet for the hope of salvation.
Gospel Readings: Lk 21:25-28,34-36.
Jesus assured his followers on the earth that the tribulations will not last forever but be ready that He will return soon in glory. This is the second meaning of the advent that we are waiting for his Second coming.
Vv 34-36: To prepare ourselves: For this second coming of the Lord a strong warning is given to avoid that makes us intoxicated or involved in the cares of the world because it leads to unpreparedness or focuses our attention on the temporal things. We are advised to be prepared for these last days and always through watchfulness and pray.
Sermon outline:
1. We celebrate the new liturgical year C. This year is dedicated to the Holy Jubilee year with a message: Our hope does not deceive us (Rom 5:5).
2. Today is the first advent Sunday and we light the candle of Hope.
3. First Advent Sunday readings invites us to reflect and prepare on the two comings of the Messiah or Christ: historical and second coming in glory.
4. Sermon Starter: The road of hope: the Gospel from prison.
a. Prophet Jeremiah is in the prison and the people of Israel are surrounded by the destruction. From the prison the message for the broken and hopeless people is the promise of restoration by the righteous branch of David, that is Jesus.
b. In the Gospel of Luke, we are told to prepare for the second coming of Jesus.
1. All the hardships, tribulations will pass away or will be for a short time but the Lord will come in glory.
2. Therefore, we are advised not to pay attention to the passing things of this world but to be on watch and be in prayer because the day of the Lord will come like a thief. Be ready.
c. St. Paul’s 1 Thessalonians: Paul prayers for the church of Thessalonians so that the Love of God they have received may increase or multiply. He also instructs them to keep their holiness until the Lord comes in glory. The pastoral instructions are:
1. To keep away from immoral life,
2) To hold on to mutual love as taught by Jesus (the commandment of Love).
3) to keep a tranquil life. Mind your own business.
4) we accept death in faith and hope.
5. Be vigilant the day of the Lord will come like a thief.
Your Hope Keeps you moving ahead by facing all the odds of life. Our hope is Jesus. He is dead and risen to die no more.
Fr. Marcus Fernandes OFM.Cap
(Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral, Awali, Bahrain)