Friends, welcome to Word on Fire, Catholic Ministries. Word on Fire is an apostolate dedicated

to the mission of evangelization, using media both old and new to share the faith on every

continent and to facilitate and encounter with Christ and His Church. The efforts of

Word on Fire engage the culture and bring the transformative power of God's Word where

it is most needed. Today we invite you to join Bishop Robert Baron as he preaches

the gospel and shares the warmth and light of Christ with each of us.

Peace be with you and happy new year. As today, the first Sunday of Advent is the beginning

of the new liturgical year. And friends, our gospel for this first Sunday of Advent

begins where the readings from last liturgical year left off, namely with apocalyptic musings.

Recall that apocalypse means literally unveiling or revelation. Jesus uses, once again,

today, language from the seventh book of the prophet Daniel. Listen, for the powers of

the world will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with

power and great glory. He's talking about his definitive arrival and he's harkening

back to the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel. Now recall from last week, the Daniel

spoke of a succession of four kingdoms, which would be followed by the arrival of God's

definitive kingdom. Remember, he talks about the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, of the statue

made of four different substances, then a rock not huned by human hand comes and shatters

the statue. That's the passing of the four kingdoms and then the establishment of a final

kingdom. It's also what the prophet Jeremiah is referring to in the first reading for

today. When he speaks of the raising up of a just shoot for David, now what's that? That's

the fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy. Nathan was David's court prophet and he predicted

that a son of David would reign forever. So we have a coming together of a number of

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