Commentaries for the First Sunday of Advent, Year C
Posted by carmelcutthroat on October 17, 2015
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C
READINGS AND MISSAL:
Mass Readings in the NABRE Translation. Used in the USA.
Mass Readings in the NJB Translation. Used in most English speaking countries.
Update: Commentary on the Office of Readings, Isaiah 1:1-18.
SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY, PREACHING, AND TEACHING: Individual readings may also have some study and preaching suggestions. You may also find the catechism links suggestive.
My Summary of the Readings: As we wait for the coming to earth of the righteous Lord (1st reading), we trust that the good and upright Lord will show us how to live righteously (Psalm, 2nd reading), so as to be prepared for the coming judgement (Gospel).
1 Homiletic Directory on the Sunday’s of Advent in General. Art. 78-79.
2 Homiletic Directory on the First Sunday of Advent. Art. 80-86.
Sermon Prep. 13 minute video by Fr. Brett Williams.
Pope St Gregory the Great’s Sermon on Luke 21:25-28, 34-36. On 25-33
The Day of the Lord: Some Homily and Study Aids.
Update. St Bernard’s Sermon: On the Advent of the Lord and Its Six Circumstances. Doesn’t directly relate to today’s readings but it is a good example of how to put people into an Advent mindset.
Update. St Alphonsus’ Sermon: On the General Judgement. An appropriate theme for the beginning of Advent.
Catechism: Other catechism links are given further below in the commentary sections of the individual readings. A few of those links may be identical to those listed here.
The Final Tribulation and Christ’s Return in Glory: CCC 668-677, 769.
Come, Lord Jesus! CCC 451, 671, 1130, 1403, 2817.
Jesus is the Son of David: CCC 439, 496, 559, 2616.
God is Faithful and Merciful: CCC 207, 210-214, 270, 1062-1063. (source)
COMMENTARIES ON TODAY’S FIRST READING: Jer 33:14-16.
The promised Righteous King will establish a Kingdom of Righteousness: Jer 33:15; Isa 9:7, 16:5; Jer 23:5. Jesus is that Righteous One (compare Mt 12:18-21 with Isa 42:1-2. See also Isa 53:11). Whose teaching is concerned with righteousness [justice]: Mt 5:17-48. He is a righteous judge (Acts 17:31; Rev 19:11). Only the righteous will receive a favorable judgement (2 Tim 4:8; Mt 12:36-37; 25:34).
Navarre Bible Commentary on Jeremiah 33:14-16.
Word-Sunday Notes on Jeremiah 33:14-16.
St Thomas Aquinas’ Lecture on Jeremiah 33:14-16.
Podcast: The Sunday Dive~Jeremiah and His World. This episode looks primarily at Jeremiah. More podcasts can be found further below under the PODCAST heading.
Catechism Links (some differ from the links given above): 156; 214; 215; 397; 1063; 2465-2470.The Catechism makes no direct reference to Jer 33:14-16, however, since the text speaks of God fulfilling his covenant promises to David, I think the above passages on God’s truthfulness and fidelity to his covenant and promises (and what that means for us) might be helpful.
COMMENTARIES ON THE RESPONSORIAL: Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14.
“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul!” The Hebrew word translated as “soul” (nephesh) has here the sense of “life.” In the context of the 1st Sunday of Advent it is eternal life. The righteous Christ came (1st reading) to both empower and teach us how to live in a manner worthy of eternal life so that we might be “blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus (2nd reading), and stand upright, with heads raised high, longing for his coming (Gospel reading).
Father Boylan’s Introduction to Psalm 25. Very brief.
Father Berry’s Introduction and Notes to Psalm 25.
St Augustine’s Notes on Psalm 25.
Patristic/Medieval Commentary on Psalm 25.
St Robert Bellarmine’s Commentary on Psalm 25.
Lectio Divina Notes on Psalm 25.
My Notes on Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14. Actually on 1-14.
Word-Sunday Notes on Psalm 25.
COMMENTARIES ON THE SECOND READING: 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2.
Acts of love are necessary for a favorable judgement (1 Th 3:12-13).
Navarre Bible Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2.
St Thomas Aquinas’ Lecture on 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2. Link begins at paragraph 70. Read 70-77.
My Notes on 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2.
Father Callan’s Notes on 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2. Includes verse 11.
Father MacEvily’s Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2.
St John Chrysostom’s Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2.
Word-Sunday Notes on 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2.
Catechism Links: The catechism doesn’t employ 1 Th 3:12-4:2 but the following links might be useful:
#826. Love (charity) Essential for Holiness. “Abound in love…to be blameless in holiness.” (1 Th 3:12-13).
#815. Love/Charity as Bond of Faith & Apostolic Succession. “As you have received from us” (1 Th 4:1).
#s 897-913. The Lay Faithful’s Mission. “How you should conduct yourselves to please God” (1 Th 4:1).
COMMENTARIES ON THE GOSPEL READING: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36.
Live righteously in order to be able to stand before the Son of Man (verses 34-36 lend themselves easily to the theme of righteousness).
Aquinas’ Catena Aurea on Luke 21:25-28, 34-36.
My Notes on Luke 21:25-28, 34-36.
Navarre Bible Commentary on Luke 21:25-28, 34-36.
Word-Sunday Notes on Luke 21:25-28, 34-36.
Homilist’s Catechism on Luke 21:25-28, 34-36.
Pope St Gregory the Great’s Sermon on Luke 21:25-28, 34-36. On 25-33
GENERAL RESOURCES: sites that usually deal with the readings as a whole. Commentaries on individual readings are listed further below.
Lector Notes. Brief historical and theological background on the readings. Can be printed out, copied, and used as bulletin insert.
Doctrinal Homily Outlines. Written as an aid for homilists and a resource for the faithful, this doctrinal homily outline (1) provides insights into the Lectionary readings, (2) explicates a doctrine of Catholic Faith or morals from them, and (3) shows specific ways lay persons can live these truths.
Liturgical Bible Study Guide. A series of power point slides giving the readings, historical background, commentary, reflections, Tying the readings together, homily suggestions.
The Wednesday Word. It’s about the Sunday readings, but the document is posted on Wednesday, hence the name. Designed for prayer and reflection, the pdf document ends with Father Dom Henry Wansbrough’s reflections on the first and second readings. Fr. Wansbrough is General Editor of the New Jerusalem Bible and contributed commentaries on Matt, Mark, and the Pastorals in A New Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture.
St Charles Borromeo Parish’s Bible Study Notes. Notes on all the readings, usually with some background info as well.
Link fixed. Sacred Page Blog: Soberly Awaiting the Second Coming. Catholic biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma reflects on the readings.
Scripture in Depth. Succinct look at the readings.
Historical Cultural Context. Looks at the gospel reading in light of 1st century Mediterranean culture.
Thoughts From the Early Church. Excerpt on the gospel from St Gregory the Great.
Let the Scriptures Speak. From biblical scholar Fr. Dennis Hamm.
PODCASTS:
Update 11/25/21. A Walk in the Word. From Catholic evangelist Hector Molina.
Franciscan Sister’s Bible Study Podcast. Looks at all the readings.
Father Mike’s Introduction to Jeremiah.
St Irenaeus Ministries Podcast Study of Jeremiah 30-33.
Father Mike’s Introduction to 1 Thessalonians. On Philippians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
St Irenaeus Ministries Podcast Study of 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2. starts as the beginning of chapter 3.
Father Mike’s Introduction to Luke.
St Irenaeus Ministries Podcast on Luke 21-22. Click on POD icon or the direct download link.
(1) Father Robert Barron’s Podcast Homily: Look to the Son of Man. Noted speaker and theologian.
(2) Father Robert Barron’s Podcast Homily: The End of the World as We Know It.
(3) Father Robert Barron’s Homily Podcast: The Second Coming.
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