Area Penance Services

Monday, December 10, 7pm, St. Thomas the Apostle, 47 Pine Street, West Springfield
Tuesday, December 11, 7pm, St. Mary’s, 30 Bartlett Street, Westfield
Thursday, December 13, after 5:15pm Mass, Sacred Heart, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield
Sunday, December 16, 2:30pm, St. Francis of Assisi, 24 Jabish Street, Belchertown
Monday, December 17, 6:30pm, Our Lady of the Lake, 224 Sheep Pasture Road, Southwick
Tuesday, December 18, 5:30pm, Holy Name, 323 Dickinson Street, Springfield

The Feast of Christ the King

Today we begin the season of Advent which marks the start of a new liturgical year for the Church. This week and next week, our readings from Mark’s Gospel present two important Advent themes: the Lord’s return at the end of time and John the Baptist’s preparation for Jesus.

Today’s Gospel is taken from the end of Mark’s Gospel, the chapter that immediately precedes Mark’s account of Jesus’ Passion. Having been questioned repeatedly by the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus is now questioned by his disciples—Peter, James, John, and Andrew—who want details about his prediction of the destruction of the Temple. Jesus answers with many warnings about the difficulties that the disciples will face.

Today’s passage comes at the conclusion of Jesus’ warnings to his disciples. Jesus emphasizes the need for watchfulness. The Son of Man will come without warning; only the Father knows the exact hour. The disciples must not be caught unprepared when this time comes.

Scholars believe that Mark’s Gospel was written around the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70. Mark’s audience consisted of Christians who were living in difficult social and political times, times of conflict. They were likely beginning to face persecution as followers of Jesus. In this difficult time, it helped to recall that Jesus had foretold of such difficulties. Early Christian communities took courage from Jesus’ warning to remain alert and watchful, and they found in his words a way to persevere through suffering.

Today’s Gospel reminds us that Advent is about more than our preparation for the Church’s celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas. Advent is also about preparing ourselves for Christ’s return in glory at the end of time. Like the disciples and the faithful in Mark’s community, we must also stay alert and watchful. Our faithfulness to God, through the good times as well as the difficult times, shows us to be ready for the coming of the Son of Man.

Please note, since Christmas is on a Monday this year one must attend Mass twice, once for the 4th Sunday in Advent and once for Christmas Day, in order to fulfill the two Mass obligations. Below is the schedule of Masses for that weekend.

Saturday, December 23

4:00 p.m. Vigil of the 4th Sunday of Advent.

Sunday, December 24

8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Sunday of the 4th Sunday of Advent.

4:00 p.m. Vigil of Christmas Eve

10:00 p.m. Mass at Night (instead of Midnight).

Monday, December 25

10:00 a.m. Mass during the day for Christmas Day

Our Lady of the Lake Parish

Living Faith in Jesus Christ

Area Penance Services

USCCB Daily Reading