First Sunday of Advent

Today the Church celebrates the First Sunday of Advent. The assigned readings are Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, and Matthew 24:37-44. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 122 (Psalm 122:1-9).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm for today, First Sunday of Advent: PS 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

The Gospel reading is as follows:

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. 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. 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. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. 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. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sunday Reflections: First Sunday of Advent (December 1, 2019)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: First Sunday of Advent (December 1, 2019)

Community in Mission: A Recipe for Readiness - A Homily for the First Sunday of Advent (30 NOV 19)

Crossroads Initiative: Christmas Lights, Secularism and the Season of Advent

The Sacred Page: Staying Awake: Readings for 1st Sunday of Advent (29 NOV 19)

The Sacred Page: Two Men in a Field: One is Taken, One is Left (The Mass Readings Explained) (25 NOV 19)

St. Paul Center: In a Dark Hour: Scott Hahn Reflects on the First Sunday in Advent

Word on Fire: Getting the House in Order (Cycle A * Advent * Week 1)

Spirituality of the Readings: A Wake Up Call (First Sunday of Advent A)

In Exile: Moral Intelligence (First Sunday of Advent A)

Glancing Thoughts: Left Behind (First Sunday of Advent A)

The Perspective of Justice: Preparing for Christ (First Sunday of Advent A)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Swords Into Plowshares (First Sunday of Advent A)

The Word Engaged: Seeing Daylight (First Sunday of Advent A)

Historical Cultural Context: Swords Into Plowshares (First Sunday of Advent A)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Paschasius Radbertus (First Sunday of Advent A)