On the First Sunday of Advent, we will begin a new liturgical year. It is a change that will impact the readings that will be used at the Sunday or weekdays Masses. The collection of scriptural readings from the Bible to be read during Mass is called the Lectionary. The Lectionary is divided in two major cycles, one for Sundays and one for weekdays. The Sunday cycle is divided into three years, labeled A, B, and C. The new liturgical year is Year C. Each year is linked to a specific Gospel. In Year A, the Gospel of Matthew is read; the Gospel of Mark is read in Year B; In Year C, we read the Gospel of Luke. The Gospel of John is read during the Easter season in all three years, and some Sundays during the Year B. The first reading is usually taken from a book of the Old Testament; the second reading is usually taken from one of the epistles. The weekday cycle is divided into two years, Year I and Year II. Year I is read in odd-numbered years, and Year II is used in even-numbered years. The Gospels for both years are the same. For Advent, Christmas, and Lent, readings are chosen that are appropriate to the season. The Church also provides the option to choose specific readings for feasts of the saints, for Marian feasts, for weddings, funerals, etc.
The kingdom of God, in the words of our Lord and Savior, does not come for all to see; nor shall they say: Behold, here it is, or behold, there it is; but the kingdom of God is within us.
In the end times or when our time comes, God will not abandon us. He will send His angels, led by St. Michael, the great prince, guardian of God’s people to protect us against the accuser, and to lead us safely into God’s presence.
“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit… and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213) The fruit of Baptism or baptismal grace includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which the baptized becomes an adoptive child of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. (CCC, 1279)
During November, the Church calls us to commend to the Lord our departed brothers and sisters—the Souls in Purgatory—so that they might enter into the glory and joy of heaven. To have a Mass or several Masses offered for a person who is deceased is an ancient and commendable practice. The Church considers the Mass the greatest possible prayer of intercession because it is the perfect offering of Christ to the Father by making present the Paschal Mystery of His death and resurrection. Every celebration of the Eucharist takes us back spiritually to the Last super, Gethsemane, Calvary, and all that followed. Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross is sacramentally perpetuated and made present ever anew in the Eucharist.