Dear sisters and brothers,  Let us learn what vigilance means in this Season of Advent, in order to have a meaningful celebration of Christmas.  Fr. Cielo

1. Welcome to our Bible Study
1st Sunday of Advent A
27 November 2016
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st reading: Isaiah 2,1-5
 1 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning
Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days to come, the mountain
of the LORD'S house shall be established as the highest
mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall
stream toward it; 3 many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house
of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths." For from Zion shall go
forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from
Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and
impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their
swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against
another, nor shall they train for war again. 5 O house of
Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!

3. 1st reading: Isaiah 2,1-5
 1 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning
Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days to come, the mountain
of the LORD'S house shall be established as the highest
mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall
stream toward it; 3 many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house
of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths." For from Zion shall go
forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from
Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and
impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their
swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against
another, nor shall they train for war again. 5 O house of
Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
The focus is on Jerusalem.

4. 1st reading: Isaiah 2,1-5
Introduction
 1 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and
Jerusalem. 2 In days to come, the mountain of the LORD'S house
shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills.
An Invitation to go to Jerusalem
 All nations shall stream toward it; 3 many peoples shall come and
say: "Come, let us climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house of the
God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in
his paths."
Reason for the Invitation
 For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD
from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and impose
terms on many peoples.
Result: Peace
 They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into
pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
An invitation
 5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
A simple outline!

5. 1st reading: Isaiah 2,1-5
Introduction
 1 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw
concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days
to come, the mountain of the LORD'S house
shall be established as the highest
mountain and raised above the hills.
An Invitation to go to Jerusalem
 All nations shall stream toward it; 3 many
peoples shall come and say: "Come, let us
climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house of
the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in
his ways, and we may walk in his paths."
Reason for the Invitation
 For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4
He shall judge between the nations, and
impose terms on many peoples.
Result: Peace
 They shall beat their swords into
plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword
against another, nor shall they train for war
again.
An invitation
 5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in
the light of the LORD!
Commentary
 Isaiah prophesied 200 years before
the Babylonian Exile in 586 BC.
 He is the Isaiah of Jerusalem (745
BC).
 Isaiah is one of the best, if not the
best, poets and writers of the Old
Testament.
 The reading focuses on a very
important place in the life of the
Jewish people: Jerusalem.
 In v.1, Isaiah has a vision on Judah
(province) and Jerusalem (city in
Judah).
 V.2 indicates the vision of God for
the Temple of Jerusalem:
 to be on the highest mountain //
raised above the hills (exalted, no
one can surpass its height nor its
prestige)
 V.2b indicates all nations (not just the
Jews but also the Gentiles) going to it
// many peoples shall come v.3
(universality of salvation)

6. 1st reading: Isaiah 2,1-5
Introduction
 1 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw
concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days
to come, the mountain of the LORD'S house
shall be established as the highest
mountain and raised above the hills.
An Invitation to go to Jerusalem
 All nations shall stream toward it; 3 many
peoples shall come and say: "Come, let us
climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house of
the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in
his ways, and we may walk in his paths."
Reason for the Invitation
 For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4
He shall judge between the nations, and
impose terms on many peoples.
Result: Peace
 They shall beat their swords into
plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword
against another, nor shall they train for war
again.
An invitation
 5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in
the light of the LORD!
 V.3b speaks of an invitation to go
to Jerusalem (the Lord’s mountain);
to the house …. (Temple)
 The purpose of going to the
Temple:
 to be instructed.
 Instruction is not only for the
Jews, but also for the Gentiles.
 Why the need to be instructed?
 to walk in God’s paths (to do
what is right and just according to
God’s standard)
 V.3b is in parallel form: from Zion
shall go forth instruction // word
of the Lord from Jerusalem.
 We find instruction (Torah)
and/or word of God in Jerusalem
= Zion.

7. 1st reading: Isaiah 2,1-5
Introduction
 1 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw
concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days
to come, the mountain of the LORD'S house
shall be established as the highest
mountain and raised above the hills.
An Invitation to go to Jerusalem
 All nations shall stream toward it; 3 many
peoples shall come and say: "Come, let us
climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house of
the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in
his ways, and we may walk in his paths."
Reason for the Invitation
 For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4
He shall judge between the nations, and
impose terms on many peoples.
Result: Peace
 They shall beat their swords into
plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword
against another, nor shall they train for war
again.
An invitation
 5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in
the light of the LORD!
 V.4 talks of God’s power to give
judgment. God is in-charge of all.
 It is presented in parallel form
again: judge between nations //
impose terms on many peoples.
 V.4b concretizes the response of
the people streaming to
Jerusalem to listen to God’s
word:
 They turn the swords into
plowshares // spears to pruning
hooks.
 They convert machineries of
death to machineries of life.
 No more wars (destruction) but
production of food.
 No one will waste time training for
war, but everyone will go to the
field to plant and harvest.
 V.5 goes back to the Israelites
(house of Jacob). They are also
invited to do God’s will.

8. Reflections on the 1st reading
 Jerusalem is a symbolic point of convergence of peoples.
 Where is our own Jerusalem?
 A place to converge with other people.
 A place to get instructions.
 A place to be converted, for transformation.
 For us, Christians and Catholics, the place should be our
own churches / parishes.
 When we go to our churches and be with other Christians,
we must set our hearts and minds to listen to the
teachings of God, to make peace, and to be productive.
 We don’t go there as kings and queens, and warlords.
 We fail as Christians when we cause divisions in the
Church.
 We must approach the church with pure hearts.

9. Resp. Ps 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
 R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
1 I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity.
4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD.
4 According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.
 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper!
7 May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings.
8 Because of my brothers and friends I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I will pray for your good.

10. Resp. Ps 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
 R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the
Lord.
1 I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the
LORD.”
2 And now we have set foot within your
gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact
unity.
4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the
LORD.
4 According to the decree for Israel, to
give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats
for the house of David.
 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who
love you prosper!
7 May peace be within your walls, prosperity in
your buildings.
8 Because of my brothers and friends I will say,
“Peace be within you!”
9 Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I
will pray for your good.
Commentary
 In v.1, the psalmist rejoices when invited
to join a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
 In v.2, the psalmist describes the
pilgrims and himself as already in
Jerusalem. Imagine their joy!
 Vv.3-4 describe Jerusalem:
 City with compact unity (everything is there)
 Destination of the 12 tribes of Israel
 Vv.4-5 tell of the reason for going to
Jerusalem:
 To give thanks (praise) the Lord
 To obtain justice.
 Vv.6-7 invite people to wish Jerusalem
well: peace and prosperity; prosperity
also to those who love the city.
 Vv.8-9 continue the wish for Jerusalem.
In the Temple (house of God), the
psalmist promises to pray for those who
have affection for the holy city.

11. Reflections on the Psalm
 Have you joined a pilgrimage?
 Lucky are we when we are invited to join people
in their journey and we respond.
 We must consider it a big honor to pray in God’s
Temple (now our churches).
 We pray for peace.
 We pray that God may spare us and our
churches from internal dissension and
destruction.
 As a Church, we are all on a pilgrimage.

12. 2nd reading: Romans 13,11-14
 11 You know the time; it is the hour now for you
to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer
now than when we first believed; 12 the night
is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then
throw off the works of darkness (and) put on
the armor of light; 13 let us conduct ourselves
properly as in the day, not in orgies and
drunkenness, not in promiscuity and
licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy. 14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no
provision for the desires of the flesh.

13. 2nd reading: Romans 13,11-14
 11 You know the time; it is the hour now for you
to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer
now than when we first believed; 12 the night
is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then
throw off the works of darkness (and) put on
the armor of light; 13 let us conduct ourselves
properly as in the day, not in orgies and
drunkenness, not in promiscuity and
licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy. 14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no
provision for the desires of the flesh.
The focus is on the time.

14. 2nd reading: Romans 13,11-14
The time of salvation
 11 You know the time; it is the hour now for you to
awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than
when we first believed; 12 the night is advanced, the
day is at hand.
The imperatives (+ and -)
 Let us then throw off the works of darkness (and) put on
the armor of light;
 13 let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in
orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and
licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy.
 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no
provision for the desires of the flesh.
A simple outline!

15. 2nd reading: Romans 13,11-14
The time of salvation
 11 You know the
time; it is the hour
now for you to awake
from sleep. For our
salvation is nearer
now than when we
first believed; 12 the
night is advanced, the
day is at hand.
Commentary
 The Letter to the Romans is
an authentic letter of Paul.
 In v.11, time is kairos
(favorable time, right time).
 So, he urges the Christians
to awake from sleep (from
sin).
 Vv.11-12 also mention the
reasons for waking up.
 The coming of the Lord is nearer
than expected.
 This time is a time of
salvation, time of God’s
grace.

16. 2nd reading: Romans
13,11-14
The imperatives (+ and
-)
 Let us then throw off the
works of darkness (and)
put on the armor of light;
 13 let us conduct
ourselves properly as in
the day, not in orgies and
drunkenness, not in
promiscuity and
licentiousness, not in
rivalry and jealousy.
 14 But put on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and make
no provision for the
desires of the flesh.
 V.12b contains our proper response
in the form of imperatives.
 Let us throw off works of darkness
 Let us put on the armor of light
 Let us conduct ourselves properly…
 Let us not conduct ourselves in
 Orgies (excessive eating, feasting,
carousing, malandi)
 Drunkenness (intoxication,
paglalasing, substance abuse, intake
of prohibited drugs)
 Promiscuity (sexual excesses with
anyone, maniac, over-indulgent)
 Licentiousness (sensuality, taking too
much freedom, abuse of freedom, no
dress code, immodest)
 Rivalry (strife, discord, destructive
competition)
 Jealousy (factionalism, party strife,
inggitan)
 Put on the Lord Jesus
 Make no provision for the desires of
the flesh. (Don’t allow your desires
[lust] to work on you.)

17. Reflections on the 2nd reading
 We, Christians, who wait for the Lord’s coming
should spend no time to fool around.
 We should concentrate on doing what is good.
 We avoid what is evil.
 satisfying our appetites for food, for liquor, for sex, for
illicit relationships and for too much freedom
 Christians should, likewise, avoid rivalries and
jealousies, which strain relationships and harmony
in the community.
 These are the ways we best prepare for the Lord’s
coming.

18. Gospel reading: Matthew 24,37-44
 37 Jesus said to his disciples, “As it was in the days of
Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38
In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day
that Noah entered the ark. 39 They did not know until
the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be
(also) at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men
will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be
left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will
be taken, and one will be left. 42 Therefore, stay
awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will
come. 43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had
known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he
would have stayed awake and not let his house be
broken into. 44 So too, you also must be prepared, for
at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

19. Gospel reading: Matthew 24,37-44
 37 Jesus said to his disciples, “As it was in the days of
Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38
In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day
that Noah entered the ark. 39 They did not know until
the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be
(also) at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men
will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be
left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will
be taken, and one will be left. 42 Therefore, stay
awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will
come. 43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had
known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he
would have stayed awake and not let his house be
broken into. 44 So too, you also must be prepared, for
at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.
The focus is on the coming of the Lord.

20. Gospel reading: Matthew 24,37-44
Similarity between Noah’s Flood and the coming of Jesus
 37 Jesus said to his disciples, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it
will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
 38 In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered
the ark. 39 They did not know until the flood came and carried
them all away.
 So will it be (also) at the coming of the Son of Man.
 40 Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one
will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will
be taken, and one will be left.
The Challenge
 42 Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your
Lord will come. 43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had
known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have
stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.
 44 So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not
expect, the Son of Man will come.
A simple outline!

21. Gospel reading: Matthew 24,37-44
Similarity between Noah’s Flood and
the coming of Jesus
 37 Jesus said to his disciples, “As it was
in the days of Noah, so it will be at the
coming of the Son of Man.
 38 In (those) days before the flood, they
were eating and drinking, marrying and
giving in marriage, up to the day that
Noah entered the ark. 39 They did not
know until the flood came and carried
them all away.
 So will it be (also) at the coming of the
Son of Man.
 40 Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be
left. 41 Two women will be grinding
at the mill; one will be taken, and
one will be left.
The Challenge
 42 Therefore, stay awake! For you do not
know on which day your Lord will come.
43 Be sure of this: if the master of the
house had known the hour of night when
the thief was coming, he would have
stayed awake and not let his house be
broken into.
 44 So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son
of Man will come.
Commentary
 The evangelist of the liturgical year A is
Matthew.
 Year A begins with the 1st Sunday of
Advent.
 V.37 compares the coming of Christ to the
coming of Noah’s flood. People will be
caught unaware.
 They are not prepared because of their
immoral lives. V.38
 Eating and drinking
 Marrying and giving in marriage
(remember Gen 6,1-4) = titanic lust
 Their vices keep them ignorant of the
impending disaster. V.39
 At Christ’s coming, there will be no flood,
but separation. V1.40-41
 V.42 expresses the main challenge when
Christ comes again.
 Vigilance
 Staying awake
 Be prepared for the surprise.
 Christ’s coming is unpredictable. V.44

22. Reflections on the gospel reading
 The message is vigilance.
 Since Christ’s coming is unpredictable, each one should be
ready for it.
 Vigilance consists in living moral lives, life of love and
service.
 It is mastering our urges, carnal desires and violent
tendencies.
 Christians should not die in mortal sin.

23. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 The first reading talks about the day when peoples go to Jerusalem
for instructions.
 The psalm talks about going to Jerusalem.
 The second reading talks about the nearness of time and having the
correct / right behavior.
 The gospel reading talks about the unpredictability of Christ’s
coming and, therefore, Christians should be vigilant.
 The readings propose an appropriate behavior in view of the unpredictable
coming of Christ.
 Precisely, no one knows the exact time so that each one should behave all
the time, not shortly before he comes.

24. How to develop your homily / sharing
 Make a comment first on what this Advent season is all
about.
 Preparation for a meaningful celebration of the birth of
Christ, a preparation for the coming of Christ.
 Those who don’t know the meaning of Advent follow the
commercialized way of preparing for Christmas.
 It is always important to be taught by the Church and
Scriptures to make this spiritual Christmas celebration truly
meaningful.
 The big word in this season is VIGILANCE.

25.  Based on the 1st reading, vigilance means:
 Listening to the Word of God (to be God’s true
student / disciple)
 Converting weapons of war to farm
implements (to be food producer not destroyer).
 Converting feelings of hostility to feelings of
love and forgiveness.
 Being dialogical, ecumenical and inclusive
 Thinking universal, embracing everyone.

26.  Based on the 2nd reading, vigilance means:
 Abandoning vices and excesses
 Adopting righteous living
 Living in moderation
 Fighting against addictions
 Exercising self-control
 Living in the Spirit, not in the flesh
 It is discerning God’s presence in our
midst.

27. Based on the gospel reading, vigilance means:
 Being mindful of what will happen
 Again, avoiding what the world dictates:
 Drinking more liquor (drunkenness)
 Having fun to the max, “It’s holiday season.”
 Concentrating on the externals: new
Christmas lights, more decors, excessive food
during Christmas parties.
 No mass. Christless Christmas.
 Not playing games with evil.

28.  In our churches, we avoid over decorating.
 Our churches are becoming like malls (with so
many Christmas lights and Christmas decors of all
kinds).
 They distract the solemnity of our liturgical
celebrations.
 Let us consult the liturgists. They can help us
determine what is distasteful and un-liturgical.
 Let us not allow the externals to distract us from
experiencing what is spiritual.

29.  The eucharist is a celebration in
anticipation of the Lord’s coming.
 The eucharist prepares us for the Lord’s
final coming.
 In the eucharist, Jesus comes to us who
are prepared to meet him through our
conversion.

30. Our Context of Sin and Grace
 Sexual misconduct
 Child abuse
 Immoral, indulgent
 Fun houses
 Prostitution
 White slavery
 Wife battering
 Sexual harassments
 Drug pushing
 Alcoholism
 No fear of God’s
judgment
 Vigilance
 Mindful of Christ’s
coming/presence
 Discerning the will of God
 Reception of the
sacraments
 Knows how to avoid
excesses
 Moderation
 Knows his priorities
 Avoids bad company

31. Suggested Songs
 Jubilee Song
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbUytEJlnbE
 Sigaw ng Jubileo
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrC0DfQ1IeQ
 Road to Freedom by Sr. Mirriam Therese, MM
 Tell the World of His Love
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pVNNgzv4a0

32.  Dear sisters and brothers,
 Let us learn what vigilance means in this
Season of Advent, in order to have a
meaningful celebration of Christmas.
 Fr. Cielo