Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Psalter: Week 2 / (Violet)
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 126: 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 (3): The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
1st Reading: Baruch 5: 1-9
Jerusalem, put off your garment of mourning and unhappiness, put on the splendor and glory of God forever.
Wrap yourself in the mantle of holiness that comes from God, put on your head the crown of glory of the Eternal One.
For God will show your splendor to every being under Heaven.
He will call your name forever, “Peace in Justice” and “Glory in the Fear of the Lord.”
Rise up, Jerusalem, stand on the heights. Look towards the East and see your children gathered together from the setting of the sun to its rising, by the voice of the Holy One, rejoicing because God has remembered them.
They left you on foot, taken away by the enemy. God will lead them back, carried gloriously like royal princes.
For God has resolved to bring low every high mountain and the everlasting hills, to fill up the valleys and level out the ground, in order that Israel may walk in safety under the Glory of God.
Even the forests and the fragrant trees will give shade to Israel at God’s command. For God will lead Israel with joy by the light of his Glory, escorting them with his mercy and justice.
2nd Reading: Philippians 1: 4-6, 8-11
And when I pray for you, I pray with joy. I cannot forget all you shared with me in the service of the Gospel, from the first day until now. Since God began such a good work in you, I am certain that he will complete it in the day of Christ Jesus.
God knows that I love you dearly with the love of Christ Jesus, and in my prayers I ask that your love may lead you each day to a deeper knowledge and clearer discernment, that you may have good criteria for everything. So you may be pure of heart and come blameless to the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of holiness that comes through Christ Jesus, for the glory and praise of God.
Gospel: Luke 3: 1-6
It was the fifteenth year of the rule of the Emperor Tiberius; Pontius Pilatus was governor of Judea; Herod ruled over Galilee, his brother Philip ruled over the country of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias over Abilene.
Annas and Caiaphas were the High Priests at that time when the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah in the desert. John proclaimed a baptism for repentant people to obtain forgiveness of sins and he went through the whole country bordering the Jordan River.
It was just as is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: listen to this voice crying out in the desert: prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight. The valleys will be filled and the mountains and hills made low.
Everything crooked will be made straight and the rough paths smooth; and every human being will see the salvation of God.
LECTIO DIVINA:
READ: It was the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius. Pontius Pilate ruled over Judea. Herod (Antipas) reigned in Galilee while his brother Philip ruled over Iturea and Trachonitis. Lysanias reigned in Abilene. At that time, the High Priests were Annas and Caiaphas. It was at that time when John (the Baptist), son of Zechariah, appeared, proclaiming the baptism of repentance. John went through the whole region, bordering the Jordan River. He proclaimed to the people to make straight the path and prepare the way of the Lord.
REFLECT: Luke’s Gospel is perceived to have three introductions: the formal Prologue (cf. Lk 1:1-4), the Infancy Narrative (Lk 1:5–2:52) and what some commentators believe to be the original introduction (Lk 3:1-6).
Today’s pericope is the third of these introductions. This passage basically follows the Markan material. The Gospel of Mark begins with the preaching of John the Baptist.
The Gospel for today also contains the proclamation of John the Baptist. Luke, however, mentions the name of Zechariah, John’s father (cf. Infancy Narrative). This is preceded by names of historical figures. Luke seems to situate his version of the gospel in a historical setting. He accentuates the fact that God, through his Son Jesus Christ, entered history.
In this Advent season, we are called to be more aware of God’s continuous interventions in history, both communal and personal.
PRAY: Let us pray that we may become more aware of God’s presence in our personal and communal history.
ACT: Be brave enough to be reconciled with a family member, friend, or neighbor by forgiving past wrongs.
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