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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

“Homily — 1st Sunday of Advent, Year B” • Father Valentine Young, OFM

Jeff Ostrowski · November 24, 2020

The following is by Father Valentine Young, OFM, a faithful Catholic priest who died on 17 January 2020. It was delivered sometime between 2013 and 2020. To learn more about Father Valentine, please scroll to the bottom of the page.

1st Sunday of Advent, Year B

*  PDF Download • READINGS IN ENGLISH
—Taken from the Saint Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal, Gradual, and Lectionary.

OU ARE PROBABLY aware that the word ADVENT means “a coming toward” or “an arrival at.” That is why the word ADVENT is used to designate this period of the year to prepare us for “The Coming” of Christ into our hearts. And many people think this is also done to prepare for the commemoration or re-enactment of Christ’s coming, as He did when He was born as an infant in Bethlehem now over two thousand years ago.

Various comings: And this is true. However, when we examine the liturgical texts which the Church presents to us during this period, we find that a lot more is implied than just Christ’s FIRST COMING on the first Christmas. There are two other “advents” of which the Church tries to remind us. There is Christ’s coming to us personally as individuals. For us personally, this is the most important coming. It implies that we are in the state of grace, for that is the most important ingredient of Christ’s coming. We know that we cannot get to heaven without it. And then there is given us the reminder about Christ coming at the end of time. This, too, will be an important moment in our lives. (In the Traditional liturgy we heard about this coming last Sunday, as well.)

A summary: When we sum up what I have said, one can see that the season of Advent really involves a threefold coming of Christ:

(1) Christ’s birth in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago;

(2) Christ coming to us individually or personally;

(3) Christ, as he will come at the end of the world.

The Church’s liturgy—especially in its Masses and Divine Office for the holy season of Advent—reminds us of all three comings.

The Gospel: In today’s Gospel reading, our Lord ends His parable by saying: “Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.” All of us are now closer to our moment of death than we were last year or in any time in the past. Is there anything going on in our lives that we would be embarrassed about, if we were to die soon?

Doing more: Is there anything more that we could do to show that God is important in our lives? Many years ago I recall seeing a movie about the life of St. Vincent de Paul. On his death-bed he told some of his followers who were gathered around him: “We can never say we have done enough for God; we always have to be willing to do more.” And I think this is especially true for faithful followers of Christ now when they see the Church—Christ’s Kingdom on earth—so plagued with difficulties, especially now with difficulties from right within the Church. During this coming year, are we going to be satisfied with just doing what we have always done? I don’t think that will cut it when we consider the current condition of the world and the Church. If we are not the ones to do more praying and sacrifice, then who will it be? +

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: SERMON 01 Advent B, Valentine Young SERMON Last Updated: November 24, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Some are called not to much speaking, | nor to conversations about the Church, | but, rather, to a deep silence | and to a life hidden in the heart of the Church, | far from wrangling tongues, from speculations, and discord. […] This is the essence of a Eucharistic monastic life.

— Fr. Mark Daniel Kirby (Meditation on Colossians 3:3)

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  • Latin Liturgy Association

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