The second Sunday of Advent is a time to reflect on the theme of peace. The readings for this Sunday are from Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 and Mark 1:1-8. The first reading from Isaiah speaks of preparing the way of the Lord and making straight his paths. Meanwhile, the Gospel reading from Mark tells us about John the Baptist, who was sent to prepare the way for Jesus.
In this wonderful and inspirational season, we are called to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. We are called to make straight the paths of our hearts and to remove any obstacles that may prevent us from receiving the gift of peace that Christ brings. We are called to be like John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus by preaching a message of repentance and conversion.
As we prepare for the coming of Christ, let us take some time to reflect on the ways in which we can bring peace to our world. Let us pray for those who are suffering from war, violence, and injustice. Let us work to build bridges of understanding and reconciliation with those who are different from us. And let us strive to be peacemakers in our families, our communities, and our world.
May the peace of Christ be with you always. Wishing you blessings from Mount Saint Joseph Abbey.
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you
And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah:
Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way.
A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight,
and so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins. John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey. In the course of his preaching he said, ‘
Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am,
and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals.
I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.‘
The Gospel of the Lord.
Glory to you, O Lord