Discussion Questions

First Reading

Isaiah 63:16b-17; 64:1, 3b-8

F1. “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down. … No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him.” Does this sound like a cry for closeness to God? Is Advent a time for becoming more aware of how close God is to us?

F2. “Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways!” Is there a veil that keeps you from seeing God’s presence at work in your life and in your world? Can you use Advent to lift that veil, to get more in touch with God’s presence in and around you?

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

S1. St. Paul’s concern here is to make sure you are ready for life with God after death. Is there life with God before your death? If you feel sometimes that, indeed, “you are … lacking in… spiritual gifts,” what could you do during Advent to restart, to recover the goals of your existence?

S2. St. Paul also says that “in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge. … ” In what areas could all of us use God’s gift to us of knowledge and discourse right now?

Gospel

Mark 13:33-37

G1. “He leaves home and places his servants in charge.” Are we the “servants” in charge of the preservation of the earth? Do we have any responsibility regarding the climate crisis? What can you do, along with a group? Individually?

G2. “Watch therefore; … may he not come and find you sleeping.” What does Pope Francis propose as a way to rouse ourselves from the slumber of indifference?

How do we rouse ourselves from the slumber of indifference? With the watchfulness of charity. To awaken us from that slumber of mediocrity and lukewarmness, there is the watchfulness of prayer. To rouse us from that slumber of indifference, there is the watchfulness of charity. Charity is the beating heart of the Christian: just as one cannot live without a heartbeat, so one cannot be a Christian without charity. Some people seem to think that being compassionate, helping and serving others is for losers. Yet these are the only things that win us the victory, since they are already aiming towards the future, the day of the Lord, when all else will pass away and love alone will remain. It is by works of mercy that we draw close to the Lord. This is what we asked for in today’s opening prayer:

    Grant [us]… the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
    with righteous deeds at his coming.

The resolve to run forth to meet Christ with good works. Jesus is coming, and the road to meet him is clearly marked: it passes through works of charity.

Pope Francis Homily for the 1st Week of Advent
November 29, 2020

Anne Osdieck

 

**From Saint Louis University