First Sunday of Advent,
Cycle C
Celebrant: As we begin this
Advent season of prayer and expectation, let us present our needs before God
with confidence.
Deacon/Lector:
That the Church, with eager
longing for the return of Christ, may prepare for Him by building a world of
justice, we pray to the Lord.
That leaders of nations may seek
that justice and peace which come from the Word of God, we pray to the Lord.
That all who have not yet heard
of the coming of Christ may hear and believe the Good News, we pray to the Lord.
That the gift of justice may
transform our land, making secure the lives of the poor, the vulnerable, and the
unborn, we pray to the Lord.
That the sick and the lonely may
find comfort in Christ and the Church, we pray to the Lord.
That all who have died may be
freed from sin and stand securely before the Son of Man, we pray to the Lord.
Celebrant:
Father, we wait in joyful hope
for the coming of Christ our Savior. As you answer our prayers, make us
holy, that we may greet him with eager hearts, who lives and reigns forever and
ever. Amen.
Bulletin Insert
Click here for the
Spanish translation
From someone who had an
abortion…
“[The abortion] gave me grief
and sorrow beyond expression. I was petrified to tell anyone. I have committed
the most heinous of all crimes. Yet, the Lord forgave me, just as he
forgave Paul. Yet I will always regret what I did and will probably always feel
grief. But I pray that my experience can somehow prevent other women from making
the same fatal mistake. I’m a nurse now, so I wear my uniform to all the
pro-life things I do! It helps.” Forgiveness and healing are available. Visit
www.RachelsVineyard.org.
Homily Hints
Jer 33:14-16
1 Thes 3:12—4:2
Lk 21:25-28, 34-36
The beginning of the Season of
Advent provides a powerful opportunity to touch upon pro-life themes in the
Liturgy.
First of all, the theme of the
Second Coming of the Lord – a theme particularly strong in the first part of
Advent – calls us as individuals and as a society to repentance in preparation
for the Lord’s coming. This repentance includes living with active respect for
every human life, and building a society of justice and welcome for the most
vulnerable.
Secondly, Advent is about
preparation for the birth of the Lord. The joy of his birth, as John Paul II
wrote in Evangelium Vitae, is reflected in the joy at the birth of every child.
Advent is a perfect time to commend to the prayers of our people all who are
carrying a child, and may be tempted by fear or a lack of trust in God’s
Providence.
Liturgical Resources
