Every time I’m in front of the steering wheel driving or whenever I pass by the church near my place, I always utter the Driver’s Prayer.

It goes, “Grant me, oh Lord, a steady hand and a watchful eye that no one shall be hurt as I pass by.”

I believe this prayer is applicable not only to those who are on the road. It’s a beautiful prayer that should be engraved in our hearts every single day.

It reminds us to always be careful with the use of our hands and eyes, which God created. I remember the advice of a friend about parenting. He said that when you are pushed to the limit and want to spank your kids to discipline them, you should never use your hands. Because our hands were made to care, to help, and to love.

We should also be vigilant with what our eyes dwell on. How many times have we fallen into sin because we took one look at too many? Even our hearts were created to be God’s home. So let’s make sure that only Jesus is enthroned there—nobody and nothing else. 

Adrian Panganiban (andresignatures@yahoo.com)

reflect

We often hear, “Life is short. Better enjoy it.” But how about, “Eternity is long. Better prepare for it”?

“Grant me, oh Lord, a steady hand and a watchful eye that no one shall be hurt as I pass by.” Amen.

Saint Philomenus, pray for us.

First Reading | Isaiah 2:1-5

This prophecy of Isaiah is incredible. It speaks of a time when there will be no more war. Does our Christian society reflect this vision? Is it getting closer to this reality or moving further away from it? Sometimes, I find it difficult to know the answers to these questions. Perhaps the more important question is: do we minister the peace of Christ to those around us?

¹ This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.   ² In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; ³ many peoples shall come and say: “Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. ⁴ He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. ⁵ O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

¹ I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the Lord.” ² And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. (R) ³ Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. ⁴ To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. (R) According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. ⁵ In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. (R) ⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper! ⁷ May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings. (R) ⁸ Because of my brothers and friends I will say, “Peace be within you!” ⁹ Because of the house of the Lord, our God, I will pray for your good. (R)

Second Reading | Romans 13:11-14

The theme of light and darkness is common in the Scriptures. As we begin our Advent journey toward the celebration of Christ’s birth, the Church invites us to come into the light of His presence and leave behind the darkness of our sins. “The ‘time’ has come,” says the Apostle Paul. Are you willing to respond to His call?

¹¹ Brothers and sisters: You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; ¹² the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; ¹³ let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Gospel | Matthew 24:37-44

We are called to repent of our sins and believe in the saving work of Jesus Christ. We do not have any excuse. If Jesus were to come again tomorrow, would you be ready to greet Him? Have you done all that you could to get rid of the sin in your life? If not, why not? We don’t have valid excuses for not being ready when Jesus comes again or if He calls us to Himself tomorrow.

Gospel Acclamation

Show us, Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.

³⁷ Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸ In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. ³⁹ They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. ⁴⁰ Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. ⁴² Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. ⁴³ Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read PSALMS 126 - 130 today.

The Light of Hope

The season of Advent is marked by an active waiting, an anticipation filled with hope. Advent is not just a countdown to Christmas; it is a spiritual journey that prepares our hearts for the coming of Christ.

In life, we encounter many storms, and in our desperation, we hold on to the hope that rescue is on the way. This is a powerful image for Advent. We all wait in the midst of the storms of life, holding on to hope for the coming of our Savior.

This brings us to the message of the Gospel today: “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Here, Jesus talks about the need for vigilance and preparedness for His Second Coming. Just as a house owner stays awake to prevent a break-in, we must also be awake in the spiritual sense.

Advent mirrors this call to be watchful and alert. It is a time to reflect on our lives, to recognize our wrongdoings, and to call out to God for salvation, just as humanity did in biblical times. Through the prophets, God assured us that He heard our cries and promised a Savior. Jesus fulfilled this promise by coming to us on the first Christmas. And He will come again to complete His saving work.

The first candle of Advent—the candle of hope—symbolizes this promise. It reminds us that despite the darkness that sometimes surrounds us, there is a light that never goes out, a light that comes from our unshakable hope in God’s promises. Let us then share this hope to others, inspire them to keep the faith and not lose heart, and show them the same compassion and support that we seek from God. 

Fr. Toto Cerada, SDB

Reflection question

To whom is God calling you to pass on the light of hope today?

Lord, may my hope always be in You and in Your eternal promises. Help me to stay watchful and ready for Your coming. And as I wait, may I not abandon or neglect those in need, for in serving them, I serve You. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________________