Readings: First Sunday of Advent (B)

First Reading

First Reading: Isaiah 63:16-17,19; 64:2-7

For you are our Father, whereas Abraham does not know us nor has Israel any knowledge of us. But you, O Yahweh, are our Father, from the beginning, you are our redeemer: this is your name.

Why have you made us stray from your ways? Why have you let our heart become hard so that we do not fear you? Re-turn for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance.

As when fire sets brushwood ablaze and causes water to boil, make the nations know your name, and your enemies tremble.
No one has ever heard or perceived, no eye has ever seen a God besides you who works for those who trust in him.

You have confounded those who acted righteously and who joyfully kept your ways in mind. You are angry with our sins, yet conceal them and we shall be saved.

All of us have become like the un-clean; all our good deeds are like polluted garments; we have all withered like leaves, blown away by our iniquities.
There is no one who calls upon your name, no one who rouses himself to lay hold of you. For you have hidden your face, you have given us up to the power of our evil acts.

And yet, Yahweh, you are our Father; we are the clay and you are our potter; we are the work of your hand.

Responsorial Psalm

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 80:2-3,15-16,18-19

R./ Lord, make us turn to you; 
      let us see your face and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. 
Rouse your power, and come to save us. 
R./ Lord, make us turn to you; 
      let us see your face and we shall be saved.


Once again, O Lord of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see; 
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted,
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R./ Lord, make us turn to you; 
      let us see your face and we shall be saved.


May your help be with the man of your right hand, 
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong. 
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.

R./ Lord, make us turn to you; 
      let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Second Reading

Second Reading: 1st Corinthians 1:3-9

Brothers and sisters, grace and peace from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I give thanks constantly to my God for you and for the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus. For you have been fully enriched in him with words as well as with knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you. You do not lack any spiritual gift and only await the glorious coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord. He will keep you stead-fast to the end, and you will be with-out reproach on the day of the coming of our Lord Jesus. The faithful God will not fail you after calling you to this fellowship with his Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Holy Gospel

Gospel Reading: Mark 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples, "Be alert and watch, for you don't know when the time will come. When a man goes abroad and leaves his home, he puts his servants in charge, giving to each one some responsibility; and he orders the doorkeeper to stay awake. So stay awake, for you don't know when the Lord of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight, when the cock crows or before dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him catch you asleep.

"And what I say to you, I say to all: watch."