Opening Prayer Series: First Sunday of Advent Year A

OPENING PRAYER SERIES 

THE MASS

First Sunday of Advent Year A 

As we commence a new liturgical year, what will YOUR new year spiritual resolution be?

I hope the Opening Prayer series for Year A will add to your spiritual nourishment.

The Opening Prayer for the First Sunday of Advent reads as follows:

OPENING PRAYER 

Let us pray

(that we may take Christ's coming seriously)

All powerful God,

increase our strength of will for doing good,

that Christ may find an eager welcome at His coming

                                               and call us to His side in the kingdom of Heaven,

                                 where He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

                                         one God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Converting this prayer into spirituality in action, the following reflection questions emerged:

1.            What are my hindrances/obstacles which prevent my will from doing
          good?

2.            Name one hindrance/obstacle that I commit to change during this first
           week of Advent?

3.            What is my attitude to Christ in my life (strong? Luke-warm, care-less)

4.            What will I do this week to prepare my body, mind, heart and will to give
           Christ an eager welcome?

5.            Prepare my account of my life that I would present to God when He asks
           me to give 'an account of my life' to God? 

6.            In what ways do I hope to spiritually grow through God's grace in this
           season of Advent?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Today's Gospel message is quite clear-

  'stay awake because you do not know the day when your master is coming'.   

Jesus reminds his disciples that the Second coming will be like in Noah's day- people going about their business unsuspecting of what is to come.  Advent provides us with the opportunity to refocus our attention, to jolt ourselves out of our sleepy ways and stand ready. We are preparing of course during Advent for the birth of Christ at Christmas, but Advent too is also a reminder of the final second coming of Christ.

At the beginning of this liturgical year, let us spend some reflection time asking God to show us how we need to grow. Let us stay awake to God's advice and be committed throughout this year to spiritually grow in this/these area/s of our lives.  

Let us be swept away with a passion and enthusiasm for our Catholic faith

and stay awake to God throughout this coming year,

so that we may be ready when He calls us.