GOSPEL: Matthew 24:37-44
'As it was in Noah's day, so will it be when the Son of man comes. For in those days before the Flood people were eating, drinking, taking wives, taking husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept them all away. This is what it will be like when the Son of man comes. Then of two men in the fields, one is taken, one left; of two women grinding at the mill, one is taken, one left. 'So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming. You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house. Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

REFLECTION
This week’s Gospel tells the story of what happened in the time of Noah. Jesus says: “As for the exact day or hour, no one will know it, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but God alone knows the time.” Jesus then warns the people: “The coming of the Son of Man will repeat what happened during Noah’s time. In the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and being married, right up to the day Noah entered the ark. They were unconcerned until the flood came and destroyed them.”

Jesus then says: “So it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” He then gives examples of what will happen at that time: “Two men will be in a field; one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding their meal; one will be taken and the other will be left behind.” Jesus then pauses and say to His listeners: “Stay awake! You do not know the day your Lord is coming.” Jesus adds: “Be sure of this, if the owner of a house knew when a thief was coming, he would be watchful and prepared. You also must be prepared. The Son of Man is coming when you least expect it.”

None of us when “our time” will come. Perhaps this is a blessing! This reading reminds us of our responsibility: what happens to us after we die is determined by how we lead our lives each and every day. In many ways, we are the ones who decide what our “afterlife” will be. If we live a good life, loving God, Jesus, and the Spirit and if we strive to be loving and kind every day and share our time, gifts and talents with others, when we die, we likely will go to heaven.       

We cannot wait until the last minute. What is the pattern of your life? Do you share your time, talents and attention with other people? Do you share your gifts and love with your family, the people you work with, with your neighbours or even people you do not know? If we choose to do these things, after our death we will be in God’s loving presence! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)


VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL
With 3 million people living below the poverty line in Australia, including over 739,000 children, your donation allows the St Vincent de Paul Society to provide more than immediate help, it provides something much more valuable - the opportunity for a better life.

This year we are again seeking your support to help those less fortunate in our community through generous donations of non-perishable food items, gift vouchers or gifts or new toys for children or a thoughtful gift for an adult.

Each classroom has been provided with a basket for you to place your donations in and we will be delivering them to the Yass branch of St Vincent de Paul at the end of the term.  Thanks to all of the families who have already donated. Your generosity and support is most appreciated.

ADVENT
"The birth of Christ is the central event in the history of the earth -- the very thing the whole story has been about." -- C.S. Lewis

Advent is the first season in the church calendar. Since the 7th century A.D., Christians have included this celebration in their preparation for Christmas Day.

This Sunday we celebrate the second Sunday of Advent. We light a second purple candle on the second Sunday of Advent to represent the hope of Christ coming to the world.

The word "hope" has two meanings in the Bible. The first, tiqvah, contains the sense of eager anticipation or waiting. The second, elpis. depicts a sense of confident expectation based on certainty. Biblical hope is secured by God's faithfulness to His promises. For the Old Testament leaders, their hope was in the Messiah's arrival. For us, it is the hope of the Messiah's return.

God's plan for humanity unfolded in the town of Bethlehem, the birthplace of the Messiah, joyously fulfilling a long-awaited promise. Today we confidently wait for the Messiah's triumphant return. (www1.cbn.com)

ADVENT PRAYER SERVICE
We will celebrate the second Sunday of Advent with a prayer service on Monday morning at 9am in the PAC. Week 2 has kindly been prepared by KJG. We extend a warm welcome to all members of our school community to come and celebrate with us.





God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator