SELECTED REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS ACROSS THE GROUPS.
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)
1st Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 122:1-2.4-5.5-7.8-9)
2nd Reading: Romans 13:11-14a
Gospel Acclamation : Psalm 55:5
Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 122:1-2.4-5.5-7.8-9)
2nd Reading: Romans 13:11-14a
Gospel Acclamation : Psalm 55:5
Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44
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| Akiti Ignatius Jude |
The readings of today focus on the end of one system and the beginning of another. It is fitting for this very first Sunday of a new liturgical year (A) have finished the previous one (year C). The readings show us two main ideas: the Kingdom of God and the end times, also known as eschaton.
The first reading talks about Mount Zion, a holy mountain chosen by God, where the temple; the house of the Lord (as echoed in the Psalms) was physically built in Jerusalem. This mount was a symbol of God’s presence and power. Even though the temple (system) later came to its end and was destroyed, it had already served its purpose, and a new system began after that. This shows us that eschaton means the ending of something old and the start of something new.
The second reading and the Gospel call us to repent and to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ. The first time Jesus came, it was to save us. But at His second coming, He will return as a judge, to judge the world. Those who refused to follow Him will face judgment, just like in the Passover in Egypt those who followed the instructions were saved.
I love the fact that Jesus also pointed in the Gospel that the end times will be like the days of Noah. In the days of Noah, God gave a clear warning through Noah, who built the ark as a place of safety. But people ignored him, mocked him, and refused to listen, until the flood came and it was too late. In the same way, Jesus’ first coming was to prepare a place of safety for us (His Church) , the new ark of salvation. Through His teachings, His sacrifice, and the sacraments, He invites us into this spiritual ark, (His kingdom here on earth) for our safety. Those who listen, believe, and live under His lordship within the Church will be saved, just like those who entered the ark with Noah. But those who ignore His invitation and continue living outside this covenant of grace risk eternal loss when He returns. This is the powerful parallel between Noah’s time and the Second Coming of Christ. So let's beware!
Unfortunately following same strand, Many today mock the message that “Jesus is coming soon” because it has been preached for over 2000 years. But as St. Paul reminds us, each day brings us closer to the end either the end of the world or our personal end. Eschatology, the study of the end times, has two sides: the personal eschaton, which refers to our individual death and judgment (Hebrews 9:27), and the cosmic eschaton, the final return of Christ and the end of the world. For centuries, people have lived and died—each one meeting their own end and standing before God. The world’s end hasn’t come yet, but that doesn’t make the message false; it shows God's patience. Whether the end meets us or we meet it, we must be prepared. As 1 Thessalonians 5 says, let us live alert and ready, under Christ’s salvation, so we are not caught off guard when the end comes.
The Cosmic Eschaton means the end of the world as we know it, like the Bible says in Revelation 21:1–5, where there will be no more pain, crying, or death. Even though that big end hasn’t come yet, people still die every day, and that is called personal eschatology. It’s like their own end time. We can also experience personal eschatology when we stop doing bad things and start living for Jesus. The cosmic eschatology can also be seen when big changes happen in the world, like when strong countries fall or when bad ideas like slavery or war are stopped. These things show us that the world is always changing and remind us that one day, everything will end as God said. God is not slow, He is just kind and wants us to change and come to Him. So we must always be ready, live good lives, and follow Jesus so that we will be with Him forever.
May Almighty God help us in this to emerge victory like Jesus in this Journey of life through christ our Lord. Amen .🙏
REFLECTION
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| Ferdinand Afam Naza, MCArb |
The central theme of the reading is Christian vigilance and spiritual preparedness for the coming of Christ.
More specifically:
Advent reminds believers of two comings of Christ:
His first coming at Christmas, and His second coming at the end of time.
Since no one knows the hour of Christ’s return, the Gospel (Matthew 24:37–44) urges Christians to “watch” and remain alert.
The second reading emphasizes that being prepared means casting off the works of darkness and living in the light, cultivating holiness and purity of heart.
Overall, the homily calls believers to live in readiness, holiness, and vigilance, keeping their hearts clean as they await the Lord.
In one sentence:
The central theme is a call to spiritual vigilance and readiness for Christ’s coming.
REFLECTION
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| Egujie Anone Cynthia |
From the first reading, Isaiah shares a vision of a future where all nations come to God for guidance, and peace replaces war. People are called to walk in God’s light ....this made me reflect on the happenings in nigeria today, coming to an end and in the Second Reading St. Paul urges believers to wake up spiritually, turn away from sinful behavior, and “put on Christ,” living in holiness as the time of salvation draws near. In the Gospel, Jesus warns that no one knows when He will come again, so we must stay awake, alert, and ready at all times.
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| Paddy Kevwe |
NO EXCUSES
It is a common practice with humanity to make excuses when we want to shift responsibility to others even though we are in the picture or scene of the event. Adam started it, and Eve followed in shifting blames and making excuses for their actions. One remarkable difference humans have with other creatures is the ability to reason and think. The rational nature makes it more evident for us not to make any excuses for our actions but to take full responsibility for them.
It is yet another Advent season whereby we are called and invited to reflect and wait upon the Lord's first coming into the world and then meditate and prepare for his second coming. As such, the liturgy of today being the First Sunday of Advent, we are called to make adequate preparation and be ready for the Lord's coming and as such there are NO EXCUSES.
Gone are the days when we claim not to have heard the truth or the Word of God. In our age and time, even technology has made it even much easier for us to have reach to the word of God and an interpretation or further explanation can be provided for a better understanding.
In the time of the prophet Isaiah, he saw about Judah and Jerusalem of how the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains. As such the prophet invites them and us to go up to this Lord's mountain that we may be taught his ways and be able to walk in his ways. And so, there is NO EXCUSES as to, I do not know what to do or where to go and get the knowledge.
St. Paul goes on to tell us that we should not make any excuses with the notion of there is still time. He admonishes us that our salvation is nearer to us than we may think and expect, and as such we should make NO EXCUSES because it is now the full time for us to wake from our sleep of procrastination to do the right thing and the will of God. Waking up from our sleep is to do away with any work of darkness but to put on the armour of life by conducting ourselves as becomingly as in the day... The works of darkness is given as such like revelling, drunkenness, debauchery, licentiousness, quarreling and jealousy. And if we must do away with these works of darkness, then we must put on Christ our light and make no provision for the flesh by our so reasoned excuses.
If we walk in the light of Christ, there would be NO EXCUSES as to doing the right thing for the sake of the kingdom of God.
Doing the right thing for the kingdom of God is to be prepared at all times with NO EXCUSES because the coming of the Son of the man is like a thief in the night for which no one knows the hour he will be expected...so NO EXCUSES.
#Shalom
REFLECTION
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| Martha Onuh |
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh
Advent is a season we prepare for the coming of the lord Jesus Christ not just at Christmas but also for his second coming. St. Paul urges is to put on the lord Jesus Christ as we await his coming and to make no provision for our flesh. We all know what our flesh desires, we are encouraged this day to avoid them by all means.
The gospel encourages us to watch and be ready, it is only when we put on the lord Jesus Christ (love, for God is love), that we can be able to watch effectively and with readiness for our saviour's coming.
May God help us in all our struggles to always put on Christ and always be ready 🙏
REFLECTION
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| Eze Ekenemaria |
Are you prepared?
The Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent (Mt 24:37–44) reminds us, through the story of Noah, that many ignored God’s warning and perished in the flood. Jesus uses this to call us to vigilance and readiness for His return. Advent is a season of hopeful preparation: we remember Christ’s First Coming in the Incarnation and look forward to His Second Coming.
Marking a new liturgical year, Advent invites us to deepen our relationship with God, resist worldly distractions, care for creation, and nurture our souls. While Christmas commercialism often overshadows the season, true preparation focuses on grace, humility, and spiritual readiness. The key question is not when or how Christ will return, but whether we are prepared and worthy when He comes.
With Christ measure all things .....
