Feast Day: Sunday

Liturgical color: Purple

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Introduction to the Mass

Dear brothers and sisters ! The Gospel reading that opens the First Sunday of Advent, Year A, is part of Jesus’ discourse on the end times and His return ( chapters 24-25 in the Gospel of Matthew). From the very first moment of the liturgical year, the Church invites all of us to direct all our efforts, to open our hearts, to awaken from the slumber of sin.

God comes to each person without trumpet or drum , so we must always be ready , ” for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”

So, to enter the new Liturgical Year, let us ask God to forgive all the mistakes and shortcomings of the past Liturgical Year. In that spirit, let us repent together .

Entrance chant

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust; let me not be put to shame. Let not my enemies rejoice over me, for none who hope in you shall be put to shame.

Do not recite the Gloria

Collect

Almighty Father, grant that we may always be determined to do good, so that we may welcome your Son who comes to judge the world. Thus you will place us at your right hand and call us to the joys of heaven. You are God, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

First Reading: Is 2, 1-5

“God gathers all nations into his kingdom, to enjoy everlasting peace.”

From the book of the prophet Isaiah.

The sign that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be built on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall stream to it.

Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his counsels.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

He will judge the nations and rebuke many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

That is the word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 121: 1-2. 3-4a. 4b-5. 6-7. 8-9

Response: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord” (v. 1).

Chant: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.

Chant: Jerusalem is built like a fortress, fortified throughout. There the tribes, the tribes of the Lord, will march up.

Chant: According to the law of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord. Here the throne of judgment has been set, the throne of the house of David.

Chant: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the safety of those who love you. May there be peace in your fortresses, and safety in your palaces.

For the sake of my brothers and friends I pray: Peace be with you! Because of the house of the Lord our God, I pray for you.

Second Reading : Rom 13, 11-14

“Our salvation is near.”

Excerpt from the letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Romans.

Dear friends, you know that it is time for us to wake up from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us put off the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly, as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

That is the word of the Lord.

Alleluia: Ps 84:8

Alleluia, alleluia! – Lord, show us your mercy and grant us your salvation. – Alleluia.

Gospel : Mt 24, 37-44

“Be awake and be ready.”

The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew.

At that time, 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. For just as in the days before the flood people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding flour; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

“But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and not let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

That is the word of the Lord.

Prayer of the Faithful

Celebrant: Dear brothers and sisters!Advent is the season of waiting for the Lord to come, just as the ancient Jews begged, “ Let the heavens pour down dew and the clouds rain down the Savior . ”So let us pray together:

1. “ On the very day Noah entered the ark, people did not expect it” – May all members of God’s people always love the Church, because this is the ark of hope, given by God to humanity so that everyone can enjoy salvation.

2. “Let us walk in the light of the Lord” – May those who are suffering realize that: Trials will lead to rebirth into new life.

3. “Do not worry about satisfying the desires of the flesh ” – May believers know how to eliminate lustful passions and take up the weapon of light, the Word of God, to fight.

4. “Be awake and ready ” – May God’s urgent call be responded to by everyone in our parish, so that we may constantly renew our lives and prepare our souls to await the glorious coming of the Son of Man.

Celebrant : Father, please help us to love, to forget ourselves, and to sympathize with the sufferings and weaknesses of others, so that we can help them and forgive their mistakes. We think that is the wisest way to wait for the Lord’s coming. Please help us to do these things, so that on that day you will be pleased with us and that day will also be our happiest day, God who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Prayer over the offerings

Lord, this is the bread and wine which we have chosen from among the many gifts which you have bestowed upon us. Accept it, we pray, and grant that this Eucharist which we now offer may be for us the pledge of eternal salvation. We pray…

Preface of Advent I

Communion song

God will give every good thing, and our Land will yield its fruit.

Prayer after communion

Lord, by the sacrament of the Eucharist you have taught us, pilgrims on earth, to love and to cling to the lasting realities of heaven. May the sacrament we have just celebrated bring us abundant grace. We pray to you…