2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Psalter: Week 2 / (Violet)
Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
1st Reading: Is 40:1-5, 9-11
Be comforted, my people, be strengthened, says your God.
Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, proclaim to her that her time of bondage is at an end, that her guilt has been paid for, that from the hand of Yahweh she has received double punishment for all her iniquity.
A voice cries, “In the wilderness prepare the way for Yahweh. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley will be raised up; every mountain and hill will be laid low. The stumbling blocks shall become level and the rugged places smooth. The glory of Yahweh will be revealed, and all mortals together will see it; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.“
Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of good news to Zion, lift up your voice with strength, fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem and announce to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!
Here comes Yahweh Sabaoth with might; his strong arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and here before him is his booty.
Like a shepherd he tends his flock: he gathers the lambs in his arms, he carries them in his bosom, gently leading those that are with young.
2nd Reading: 2 P 3:8-14
Do not forget, beloved, that with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. The Lord does not delay in fulfilling his promise, though some speak of delay; rather, he gives you time, because he does not want anyone to perish, but that all may come to conversion. The Day of the Lord is to come like a thief. Then, the heavens will dissolve with a great noise; the elements will melt away by fire, and the earth, with all that is on it, will be burned up.
Since all things are to vanish, how holy and religious your way of life must be, as you wait for the day of God, and long for its coming, when the heavens will dissolve in fire, and the elements melt away in the heat. We wait for a new heaven and a new earth, in which justice reigns, according to God‘s promise.
Therefore, beloved, as you wait in expectation of this, strive, that God may find you rooted in peace, without blemish or fault.
Gospel: Mk 1:1-8
This is the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of Isaiah, the prophet, “I am sending my messenger ahead of you, to prepare your way. Let the people hear the voice calling in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, level his paths.“
So John began to baptize in the desert; he preached a baptism of repentance, for the forgiveness of sins. All Judea and all the people from the city of Jerusalem went out to John to confess their sins, and to be baptized by him in the river Jordan.
John was clothed in camel‘s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and honey. He preached to the people, saying, “After me comes one who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.“
REFLECTION:
Read: The call rings out for preparing the way of the Lord. God patiently grants us time so that we come to conversion and be rooted in peace. John the Baptist preaches the baptism of repentance.
Reflect: In a world of fast food, lightning speed, and instant results, waiting or taking time to prepare sounds out of place. It feels like waste of time. Advent hardly exists for many–soon after thanksgiving begins Christmas celebration, and by the time Christmas begins, everyone is worn out. However, life and relationships of quality can only develop over careful preparation and patient waiting. It energizes our soul, concentrates the mind, and intensifies our desire for what we are waiting for. How good is our preparation for the coming of the Lord?
Pray: Lord, create in me a chastity of mind that waits in preparedness for your coming.
Act: Undertake a meaningful fast today.
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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