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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

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“It is most important that when the faithful assist at the sacred ceremonies … they should sing alternately with the clergy or the choir, as it is prescribed.”

— ‘Pope Pius XI, Divini Cultus (20 Dec 1928) §9’

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