Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Comfort, give comfort to my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her service is at an end,
her guilt is expiated;
indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD
double for all her sins.
A voice cries out:
In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill shall be made low;
the rugged land shall be made a plain,
the rough country, a broad valley.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together;
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Go up on to a high mountain,
Zion, herald of glad tidings;
cry out at the top of your voice,
Jerusalem, herald of good news!
Fear not to cry out
and say to the cities of Judah:
Here is your God!
Here comes with power
the Lord GOD,
who rules by his strong arm;
here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock;
in his arms he gathers the lambs,
carrying them in his bosom,
and leading the ewes with care.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Is 40:1-5, 9-11
In this passage from Isaiah we are given first the prophetic vision of John the Baptist; “A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” The prophecy then announces the coming of the Messiah and what a blessing he will be to the people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm:[4] Psalm 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14
R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD—for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14
Psalm 85 is a communal lament that focuses on the woes of the nation. These strophes reflect the joy of salvation at the restoration of the land following the destruction of the temple and the Diaspora. Those faithful to God see the reward; a land restored, justice returned, and the salvation of God. Placed in the context of the Advent season we find the theme of preparation for a time of peace throughout, a clear tie to the herald of the Messiah, echoing Isaiah’s oracle.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II: 2 Peter 3:8-14
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved,
that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years
and a thousand years like one day.
The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,”
but he is patient with you,
not wishing that any should perish
but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief,
and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar
and the elements will be dissolved by fire,
and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.
Since everything is to be dissolved in this way,
what sort of persons ought (you) to be,
conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion,
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames
and the elements melted by fire.
But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things,
be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on 2 Pt 3:8-14
The author begins this passage cautioning the people not to think the Lord has not done what he promised in returning. St. Peter reminds them that God’s time is different than man’s perception “…a thousand years like one day”. He continues, reaffirming the Parousia (the second coming and the apocalypse). Because they understand that the day is coming (at a time they do not expect) and they will be called to account for their actions. Addressing their actions he tell them they must be “conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion”.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 1:1-8
This introduction and beginning of St. Mark’s Gospel contains several important elements. First, Mark begins announcing Jesus as the Christ – the Son of God. He follows this immediately by linking Jesus’ story to the Hebrew Scriptures describing John the Baptist’s role as fulfilling the oracle of Isaiah 40:3 above (he actually includes other OT references from Malachi 3:1; and Exodus 23:20;).
The description of Baptist recalls the Prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) further establishing St. John’s role as prophet and establishing the conditions necessary for the appearance of the Messiah (it was explicit in Hebrew tradition that the appearance of the Messiah must be preceded by the second coming of Elijah (cf Malachi 3:23-24)).
The passage closes with St. John the Baptist announcing the coming of the Messiah who will transform the people through, not simply repentance, but by placing a new spirit within them (cf. Ezekiel 36: 24-28).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
The Candle of Love now joins the Candle of Hope giving light to the darkness!
The themes of Advent are well represented in Sacred Scripture this day. We begin with the prophetic vision of the Prophet Isaiah who sees the coming of salvation heralded by one who must appear to him to be Elijah returning, but who is in fact, St. John the Baptist.
The glory of God will be revealed as his path is prepared. We understand the metaphor being used. Not only must the event be announced, but the spirit of those who will receive the gift must be readied. Preparing a path for the Lord means that the “will” must be ready to accept the spirit of holiness that God will impart.
St. Mark introduces us to the herald of Christ, St. John the Baptist. We have known about him from before his birth. He greeted Holy Mary when Jesus was in her womb by leaping for joy. Now, fully grown he takes up his mission, calling for a return to God’s law and reign. Eccentrically he comes out of the wilderness reminiscent of Elijah and basically hijacks the Jewish rite of ritual purification (The Pharisees used this ritual out of Ezekiel’s prophetic book to symbolize that they had turned from sin. Later, in Jesus public ministry, the Lord changes water intended for this use into wine at the Wedding Feast at Cana).
St. John calls for conversion of heart and “repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” We note that St. John clarifies that there is one coming after him who will forgive those sins. His baptism is symbolic, the Lord’s is efficacious – it does what it signifies.
For the Baptist, the time is at hand. For us, we see both Isaiah’s oracle and St. John’s prediction as ancient history. We know this story well. Yet there is a future tense to the events unfolding. St. Peter’s letter, written decades after Christ died and fulfilled his promise to rise, reminds us that, in addition to looking forward to the celebration of Jesus’ first coming, we are also preparing for “we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” as our brothers and sisters in faith have done for millennia.
Today as we mark the lighting of the second candle, the Candle of Love, we see God’s gracious plan of salvation marked out in steps that span thousands of years. His love for us is so boundless that his time flows, as his love, with unimaginable depths. We praise him this day, in gratitude for the hope we share and the love we receive.
Pax
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Comfort, give comfort to my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her service is at an end,
her guilt is expiated;
indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD
double for all her sins.
A voice cries out:
In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill shall be made low;
the rugged land shall be made a plain,
the rough country, a broad valley.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together;
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Go up on to a high mountain,
Zion, herald of glad tidings;
cry out at the top of your voice,
Jerusalem, herald of good news!
Fear not to cry out
and say to the cities of Judah:
Here is your God!
Here comes with power
the Lord GOD,
who rules by his strong arm;
here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock;
in his arms he gathers the lambs,
carrying them in his bosom,
and leading the ewes with care.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Is 40:1-5, 9-11
In this passage from Isaiah we are given first the prophetic vision of John the Baptist; “A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” The prophecy then announces the coming of the Messiah and what a blessing he will be to the people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm:[4] Psalm 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14
R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD—for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14
Psalm 85 is a communal lament that focuses on the woes of the nation. These strophes reflect the joy of salvation at the restoration of the land following the destruction of the temple and the Diaspora. Those faithful to God see the reward; a land restored, justice returned, and the salvation of God. Placed in the context of the Advent season we find the theme of preparation for a time of peace throughout, a clear tie to the herald of the Messiah, echoing Isaiah’s oracle.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II: 2 Peter 3:8-14
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved,
that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years
and a thousand years like one day.
The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,”
but he is patient with you,
not wishing that any should perish
but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief,
and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar
and the elements will be dissolved by fire,
and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.
Since everything is to be dissolved in this way,
what sort of persons ought (you) to be,
conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion,
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames
and the elements melted by fire.
But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things,
be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on 2 Pt 3:8-14
The author begins this passage cautioning the people not to think the Lord has not done what he promised in returning. St. Peter reminds them that God’s time is different than man’s perception “…a thousand years like one day”. He continues, reaffirming the Parousia (the second coming and the apocalypse). Because they understand that the day is coming (at a time they do not expect) and they will be called to account for their actions. Addressing their actions he tell them they must be “conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion”.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 1:1-8
This introduction and beginning of St. Mark’s Gospel contains several important elements. First, Mark begins announcing Jesus as the Christ – the Son of God. He follows this immediately by linking Jesus’ story to the Hebrew Scriptures describing John the Baptist’s role as fulfilling the oracle of Isaiah 40:3 above (he actually includes other OT references from Malachi 3:1; and Exodus 23:20;).
The description of Baptist recalls the Prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) further establishing St. John’s role as prophet and establishing the conditions necessary for the appearance of the Messiah (it was explicit in Hebrew tradition that the appearance of the Messiah must be preceded by the second coming of Elijah (cf Malachi 3:23-24)).
The passage closes with St. John the Baptist announcing the coming of the Messiah who will transform the people through, not simply repentance, but by placing a new spirit within them (cf. Ezekiel 36: 24-28).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
The Candle of Love now joins the Candle of Hope giving light to the darkness!
The themes of Advent are well represented in Sacred Scripture this day. We begin with the prophetic vision of the Prophet Isaiah who sees the coming of salvation heralded by one who must appear to him to be Elijah returning, but who is in fact, St. John the Baptist.
The glory of God will be revealed as his path is prepared. We understand the metaphor being used. Not only must the event be announced, but the spirit of those who will receive the gift must be readied. Preparing a path for the Lord means that the “will” must be ready to accept the spirit of holiness that God will impart.
St. Mark introduces us to the herald of Christ, St. John the Baptist. We have known about him from before his birth. He greeted Holy Mary when Jesus was in her womb by leaping for joy. Now, fully grown he takes up his mission, calling for a return to God’s law and reign. Eccentrically he comes out of the wilderness reminiscent of Elijah and basically hijacks the Jewish rite of ritual purification (The Pharisees used this ritual out of Ezekiel’s prophetic book to symbolize that they had turned from sin. Later, in Jesus public ministry, the Lord changes water intended for this use into wine at the Wedding Feast at Cana).
St. John calls for conversion of heart and “repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” We note that St. John clarifies that there is one coming after him who will forgive those sins. His baptism is symbolic, the Lord’s is efficacious – it does what it signifies.
For the Baptist, the time is at hand. For us, we see both Isaiah’s oracle and St. John’s prediction as ancient history. We know this story well. Yet there is a future tense to the events unfolding. St. Peter’s letter, written decades after Christ died and fulfilled his promise to rise, reminds us that, in addition to looking forward to the celebration of Jesus’ first coming, we are also preparing for “we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” as our brothers and sisters in faith have done for millennia.
Today as we mark the lighting of the second candle, the Candle of Love, we see God’s gracious plan of salvation marked out in steps that span thousands of years. His love for us is so boundless that his time flows, as his love, with unimaginable depths. We praise him this day, in gratitude for the hope we share and the love we receive.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used today is “St. John the Baptist” by Francesco Solimena, c. 1700
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana
[4] Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved
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