Advent: Season Of Great Expectation And Joyful Hope
Readings: 1^st: Is 63:6-17. 64, 1-8: Ps 79; 2^nd: I Cor 1:3-9; Gos: Mk 13:33-37

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico, the island of enchantment. He is the Chancellor of the Dioceses of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico; the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canóvanas, and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. For more details and comments contact him at canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, and of a new liturgical calendar year B. Remarkably, as we begin a new liturgical year today, we move from the gospel according to Matthew to the gospel according to Mark, the shortest of the four canonical Gospels.

Advent is a season of hope. It is a period when, as Christians, we await the fulfillment of the promise of God through his prophets. In addition to being a season of hope, it is equally a season of patience and prayer. During these four weeks, what are we expected to do? We are expected to prepare for the birth of the messiah. It suffices to note that while we prepare physically, the most important must be spiritual preparation.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!