PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD
First Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-5 and 9-11
Second Reading: 2 Peter 3: 8-14
Gospel Reading: Mark 1: 1-8
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah speaks about the great blessings the Lord God is going to bring in the lives of His chosen people when they return from Babylonian captivity. They are urged to prepare the way of the Lord and make straight a highway for the Lord by leveling the mountains and hills and all uneven grounds. This theme of how to prepare the way of the Lord is explained and expanded in today's Gospel reading.
* Second reading is from the second letter of St. Peter. Peter speaks about the second coming of the Lord Jesus. At His coming Christ will establish a new heaven and a new earth. For that we should prepare ourselves by living our lives in holiness and godliness. The Apostle warns us that if the Lord appears to be slow in coming, it is only for all people to have a chance to repent and be ready to meet Him when He comes.
John the Baptist : The voice of the one crying in the desert. Today's Gospel reading is from the first chapter of St. Mark. It introduces and elaborates the mission and life of John the Baptist. John announces the imminent coming of the Saviour and all people are invited to prepare for His coming. Later he introduces Jesus to the people. John worked no miracles; held no office of repute. He did not belong to any influential group of that time. Yet his importance to Jesus was very unique. He is the only religious leader whom Jesus sought and spoke with affection and admiration. He is described as a voice crying in the wilderness. John introduces Jesus as someone who is more powerful than he. John understands that his importance is precisely because of the greatness of Jesus. John is challenging all of us during this advent to prepare the way of the Lord and to foster greatness in others without feeling threatened about our own importance. John was a voice crying in the wilderness, a lonely voice that many chose to ignore. Today also there are many lonely voices in this world that go unheeded.
"Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God's own love and concern." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
"When you journey through Advent to Christmas, you begin to see Jesus more fully. You recognize that His incarnation was the beginning of the redemption." - Glenn P.
"Sunday Homilies with Fr. Joy Joseph SVD" is available on YouTube . Kindly subscribe to it. Given below is the link for 2nd Sunday of Advent :B. Thanks.
Video Reflection for 2nd Sunday of Advent.
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