1st Sunday of Advent (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

1st Sunday of Advent (C), December 2, 2012
Liturgical readings
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25
1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:2
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

"Pray constantly..."

All Catholics should see the immense value of constant prayer. For this contributes to a vigilant spirit which can help a soul aware of his mortal condition and a conscious need for God and His salvation. Jesus Himself tells His disciples to pray constantly, for the discipline can guard them against all indulgence, drunkenness and worldly cares. The Lord meant the counsel not only for His disciples, but to all the faithful in the Universal Church. It is by praying constantly with faith that all who believe in Christ will be given "the strength to escape whatever is in prospect". Constant prayer, vigilance and faith will make any soul ready to "stand secure before the Son of Man".

This counsel of constant prayer in the Bible is inculturated in the many Catholic spiritualities that grew along the continuum of history. This counsel, as many would probably say, is not incompatible with a busy work or life in today's modern context. Spiritual masters such as St. John Climacus, St. Elizabeth Seton, and St. Josemaria Escriva convince us today that it is a discipline possible if it is taken to heart (and to practice). Below are some quotes from them that can inspire all to take up the discipline of prayer, silence and reflection:

"the remembrance of Jesus...with each breath." (St. John Climacus)

"we must pray literally without ceasing - without ceasing - in every occurence and enjoyment of our lives." (St. Elizabeth Seton)

"those words that struck you when you were praying: engrave this in your memory..." (St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer)

From the time of Jesus, to St. John Climacus (7th century), to St. Elizabeth Seton (18th century), to St. Josemaria Escriva (20th century), and to our present Eucharistic celebrations, the spirit of constant prayer is kept alive. This is especially relevant at this time of Advent when all prepare for the Parousia (the Second Coming of the Lord). Nobody knows when the Second Coming of Jesus will happen. But it is wise to prepare. If one faithfully joins the constant prayers of the Church in the Eucharist, and do what is asked, there is no need to worry of "dying of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the earth". For even if the "powers in the heavens will be shaken", one can learn through a spiritual discipline to wait with joy for the salvation promised by the Lord.

Memorial of Saints (November 30)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Andrew the Apostle
• Sapor and Isaac, bishops and martyrs
• Cuthbert Mayne, priest and martyr

St. Andrew the Apostle (1st century A.D.) was one of the first followers of Christ. He led his brother Simon Peter to Christ (John 1:35-42). After Pentecost, he went to Greece and Scythia to spread the Gospel. He was martyred on an X-shaped Cross.

St. Cuthbert Mayne (1543-1577 A.D.) was one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales canonized in the year 1970 A.D. Raised and ordained in the Church of England, he was influenced by Edmund Campion to become a Catholic. In 1575 A.D., he was ordained to the Catholic priesthood at Douai in northern France, and then was later sent back to England to minister to Catholic recusants (those who refused to accept the queen as head of the Church of England). Disguised as a domestic steward in that ministry, he was soon discovered, arrested, tried and executed after refusing to acknowledge the ecclesiastical authority of the queen of England.

November 30 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• St. Andrew, the "First-called" Apostle

Related blog post:

• What Happened to the Apostles after Pentecost (Part Two), Learn more

Memorial of Saints (November 29)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Saturninus, martyr
• Saturninus or Sernin, bishop
• Radbod, bishop

St. Saturninus (d. ca. 309 A.D.) was known to be a priest who went to Rome from Carthage. He was arrested with Sisinius, a deacon, during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Maximian. He and Sisinius were tortured, burned, and then beheaded.

St. Saturninus of Toulouse (3rd century A.D.) a.k.a. Sernin, was the first bishop of Toulouse. He was sent as a missionary from Rome to the area of the Pyrenees Mountains, which encompasses northern Spain and southern France. St. Saturninus opposed the worship of idols by the people, incurring the anger of the pagan temple priests who dragged him into the temple and ordered him to sacrifice to their gods. When Saturninus refused, the pagan priests tied his feet to a bull which then dragged him to death. His relics were enshrined in what is now the basilica of Saint-Sernin.

St. Radbod (ca. 918 A.D.) was the grandson of the last pagan king of Friesland. He was educated by his uncle Gunther, bishop of Cologne and then became a Benedictine monk. In 900 A.D. he was named bishop of Utrecht and was known for his aid to the poor and as a poet. He died at Deventer, Flanders, where he had moved his see because of a Danish invasion.

November 29 also marks the day of Dorothy Day's (1897-1980 A.D.) death. Her cause for canonization was formally introduced early in 2000 A.D. upon the request of Cardinal John J. O'Connor (d. 2000 A.D.), archbishop of New York. Cardinal O'Connor considered Dorothy Day as a model for women who have had or are considering an abortion. Dorothy Day was cofoundress of the Catholic Worker movement. Her whole life was dedicated to the service of the poor, the hungry, the homeless, and the cause of peace.

As of November 2023, Dorothy Day's cause for canonization is in the Roman phase, having concluded the diocesan phase in December 2021. The Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has appointed a relator for her cause, and the next step is the submission and approval of the positio, which could lead to her declaration as "Venerable."

November 29 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• Sts. Paramon and Philemonus, Martyrs
• Bessarion
• Venerable Acacius

Bessarion (4th century A.D.) was a native of Egypt and became a hermit under the guidance of St. Anthony of the Desert and St. Macarius. Bessarion subjected himself to great mortifications and had many miracles attributed to him. In the Byzantine calendar, his feast is November 29. In the Catholic Church, his feast is on June 17.

Related blog posts

• St. Anthony of the Desert, Hermit and Abbot, Learn more
• St. Macarius, Monk and Greek Father of the Church, Learn more