New Liturgical Year Starts with the Warning of Alertness and Watchfulness

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Advent Season :  1st Week : New Liturgical Year : 1st Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 13:33-37*

*First Reading : Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7*

*SECOND READING - 1 Cor 1:3-9*

*New Liturgical Year Starts with the Warning of Alertness and Watchfulness*

*1) New Liturgical Year*

We have variety of New years starting from different dates 

The calendar  year starts with January to December

The financial year Starts with April to May 

The educational year starts with June to May 

Different religions have different dates about the beginning of the years and concluding the years 

Like wise the New Liturgical year starts with Advent and Ends with the feast of Christ the King 

*2) New Year always begins with various resolutions*

Every new year makes us to reflect about something new and something creative 

The resolutions we take in the beginning of the year also have a tremendous impact on our life, which at times change our life 

New year always makes us to think about new things for the betterment of our life 

*3) New Liturgical Year with New things* 

The new liturgical year calls us to reflect about the following new things. They are as follows 

*A)/Alertness* Which shows how active and creative we are. Alertness is the another form of full involvement in whatever we do 

*B) Watchfulness*

Watchfulness once again draws our attention to the full involvement in whatever we do 

Watchfulness is the hallmark of Christian Spirituality 

*C) Patient waiting*

Waiting for the Master, who has sent us into the world 

Patient waiting also is very much highlighted, in the beginning of the Liturgical year 

*4) Alertness and Watchfulness*

These are the two words which revolve around in today's Gospel. At the same time as we begin this new liturgical year, it highlights about the importance of Alertness and Watchfulness

We need to be alert about the Master's Coming 

We must be alert about what is happening in our life

Alert about forgiveness

Alert about humility

Alert about pride 

Alert about worldly pleasure

Alert about arrogance

Alert about simplicity 

Alert about generosity

Alert about our own weakness

Be watchful about Satan 

Be watchful about sin 

Be watchful about evil habits in our life 

Be watchful about relationship with God, others, neighbors, and with oneself 

*5) Difficult of being alert and Watchful*

These two things are not very easy to practice

One needs continuous efforts in practicing the above things 

It is not one time work. But continuous and everyday process

*6) Alertness and Watchfulness in my Life*

How alert I am about spiritual things? 

How alert I am about various good good and bad things in life? 

How watchful I am about sin, Satan and evil things? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*