🙏 OPENING PRAYER
Lord our God,
Your Son came among us in humility
to serve and not to be served.
Grant that, as we prepare for His coming,
our hearts may be ready to welcome Him
with faith, repentance, and joyful expectation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.
📖 FIRST READING — Isaiah 26:1–6
Source: https://bible.usccb.org / https://universalis.com
(Catholic.sg uses the Roman Catholic weekday lectionary – this IS the correct reading for 4 Dec.)
*A strong city have we;
He sets up walls and ramparts for protection.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose
You keep in peace — in peace, for its trust in You.
Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
For He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city He brings down…
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.
CCC References:
-
CCC 1817–1821 – Hope and trust in God
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CCC 301, 304 – God sustains and governs
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CCC 525–526 – Humility of God
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CCC 2448 – God hears the cry of the poor
📖 RESPONSORIAL PSALM — Psalm 118:1, 8–9, 19–21, 25–27
R: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
CCC References:
-
CCC 556 – “Blessed is He who comes…”
-
CCC 2607 – Jesus teaches confidence in prayer
-
CCC 2090 – Trust in God’s goodness
📖 GOSPEL — Matthew 7:21, 24–27
Source: https://catholic.sg / https://universalis.com
Jesus said to His disciples:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Everyone who listens to these words of Mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock…
But everyone who listens to these words of Mine
and does not act on them
will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand.”
CCC References:
-
CCC 2607 – Doing the Father’s will
-
CCC 1970–1974 – Teaching of Jesus = foundation
-
CCC 546 – Parables of judgment and wisdom
-
CCC 1831 – Gift of wisdom
-
CCC 2831 – Trusting in God vs worldly concerns
📘 EXPLANATION OF THE READINGS
1️⃣ FIRST READING: Trust in God the Eternal Rock (Isaiah 26)
Isaiah proclaims that true security does not come from walls, wealth, or status, but from trusting fully in God.
God Himself is the Eternal Rock — unshakable strength and foundation.
He brings down the proud and lifts the humble.
Advent prepares us to welcome Christ with humility and trust, like Mary and Joseph.
2️⃣ PSALM: Blessed is He Who Comes
The psalm echoes Advent joy: the coming of the Messiah.
It reminds us that salvation comes only from the Lord, and we must open the “gates” of our hearts.
3️⃣ GOSPEL: Build Your Life on the Rock
Jesus warns that saying the right words (“Lord, Lord”) is not enough.
What matters is doing the Father’s will.
Two foundations:
| Person | Foundation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Wise Disciple | Rock = Obedience to Jesus | House stands |
| Foolish Disciple | Sand = Empty words | House collapses |
This Gospel is about authentic discipleship, not external religion.
🕊️ APPLICATION (For Catholics & Catechumens)
🔹 1. Examine Your Foundation
What is your life built on?
Success? People? Money?
Or Christ’s words lived out daily?
🔹 2. Advent = Time to Check Our Hearts
Are we only saying prayers, or are we living them?
Ask:
-
Do I forgive?
-
Do I serve the poor?
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Do I obey God’s will even when it costs something?
🔹 3. Put Faith into Action
The Gospel is not just believed — it is done.
Choose at least one concrete action today:
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Reconcile with someone
-
Pray sincerely
-
Serve someone in need
-
Spend quiet time with Jesus
🔹 4. Stay Humble
God lifts the humble and protects those who trust in Him.
Let Advent shape your heart like Mary’s: quiet, trusting, obedient.
🙏 CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Help us to build our lives on the solid rock of Your Word.
Give us the grace to not only hear Jesus’ teachings
but to live them out in our daily actions.
Strengthen our trust in You, our Eternal Rock,
and prepare our hearts this Advent
to welcome Christ with humility, faith, and love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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