Sunday 2 December

1st Sunday of Advent

Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 24 (25):4-5, 8-9, 10, 14; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Raise your heads

Luke is convinced of God’s presence and victory over evil. This means God cares about humanity and the earth. As the sprouting fig leaves indicate summer is near, so the whole cosmos is affected by signs that prepare the hearts of disciples for God’s coming (21:25-28). God will overcome evil. Faithful ones long for the ‘redemption of Israel’ – Anna (2:38), Zechariah (1:68), and later, so do the two disciples at Emmaus (24:21). Jesus tells us ‘stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’