Second Sunday of Advent
Intention: That all people will embrace the story of the birth of the Christ Child as a call to increase our attention to the needs of children throughout the world.
Today’s Gospel | Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
A Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent
The story of John the Baptist, with its themes of anticipation and preparation, powerfully parallels the expectation motif of the nativity narratives in the Gospel. In both cases, the reader knows that something extraordinary is about to happen, and that people are being called to make themselves ready in a profound way. It will not be enough for them to prepare simply to witness it; they must prepare to make the decisive and radical decision to become part of it. To prepare for the coming of Christ is to prepare to take up our roles as disciples who together will build the Kingdom of God. As Fredrick Buechner wrote, “Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning – not home but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last.” Advent is a time for stepping onto the demanding and transforming path that is redemption.
Prayer
Eternal Father, so often the confusion and turmoil of this world leave us feeling distant from you. We wander through life as if it were a strange wilderness. Help us to be awake to the signs of your presence. Open our beings to all of the ways in which you are with us. Then, reassured and strengthened, we can walk faithfully in the ways of compassion, mercy, and justice that are your Kingdom. In this time of Advent, may we make of ourselves worthy bearers of your good news. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.