First Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Posted byraineya2Posted inUncategorized

Our readings for Sunday are here. 

These are the poems, my notes, and interpretations of Fr Dennis Dillon SJ’s homilies from the Masses of

  • December 3, 2017 Noon
  • November 30, 2014

The poems Fr Dennis references this cycle are:

In 2017, we reflected that —

  • In this liturgical season, we celebrate three comings, the three “Advents” of Christ:
    • The second coming
    • his birth
    • right now, in this very moment today
  • We are beginning the Gospel of Mark, called Cycle B, of
    • Cycle A focusing on the Gospel according to Matthew,
    • Cycle B focusing on the Gospel according to Mark
    • Cycle C focusing on the Gospel according to Luke

with the Gospel of John scattered throughout the three Cycles, but predominating during the Triduum gospel readings for all three cycles.

  • The Gospel of Mark is
    • the earliest recorded, canonical gospel with a ~70 CE date
    • the approximate date is determined in large part because it references the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in ~70 CE (and was never re-built)
    • the final loss of the Temple was a major blow to Jewish identity and a major event in their history, as Yahweh (God) was in the Temple and was defeated.  Of course, this was exactly what Jesus was offering, is that God abides in us, too, and indestructible.
  • The event inevitably created what we would call PTSD in individuals and in cultural identity.
  • So, in that context, the “Watch!  Be on the lookout!!” (Mark 13:33-37) is about the “how” of the second coming and reflects this contemporary cultural trauma for 70 CE listeners: Where is that God (with the Temple now destroyed)? How can we be more alert?
  • The Dan Gerber poem Only This Morning reflects on the end of all time, being orphaned, a filly (indicating a relatively new birth) on the only day that matters — now.
    • We go ahead with our lives knowing all things will die
    • And, yet, the gesture of helping, support leading us in the right way is the “Advent” of thanksgiving, and ultimately the Eucharist.

In 2014, we reflected that —

  • the themes of light and dark, watchful waiting
  • In the Mark Strand poem For Jessica, My Daughter
    • He writes austerely, a bit darkly about that mystery of making connection when we aren’t certain when and how it will occur.

And, of course, we’re starting the season with Celeste’s beautiful design — which should actually be for the second week of Advent (Peace), but here we are!

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