First Sunday of Advent – 30 November 2025
– You can ponder on the picture. For a method of praying with pictures click button below.
– You can pray on the words of Scripture. For methods of praying with scripture click button below.
– You can follow the suggestions in the daily ‘Reflection’.
– You can listen to the music
Today’s Scripture
Matthew 24:37-44 ESV
At that time Jesus said to his disciples: ‘For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’
Reflection
We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito. And the incognito is not always hard to penetrate. The real labour is to remember, to attend. In fact, to come awake. Still more, to remain awake.
(CS Lewis, Prayer: Letters to Malcolm)
In our reading Jesus highlights the importance of being aware and staying awake. The people in Noah’s day were unaware of what was about to happen, so they didn’t take any precautions. We can’t do anything about things we are unaware of. Once we do become aware of something, for example something hindering or obstructing our relationship with God or others, we can reflect on what we may be able to do to make a change. First, we need to be aware of it. For Ignatius awareness was paramount. Hence his encouragement of people to make the examen/ prayer of awareness part of their daily rhythm.
As we begin this season of preparation, what might God be inviting you to become aware of in your life and relationships that God and you together might work on over this season?
Jesus also invites us to stay awake. To be on the lookout for the signs of God’s action and presence all around us. How might you seek to be more awake to God this Advent?
You are invited to take some time today to reflect on where you see God at work. Perhaps an awareness walk, taking time to notice the things and people around you, listening for how God may be inviting you to respond.
Today’s Music
Advent Song by Porters Gate