Sunday, December 7, 2003
2nd Sunday of Advent

1st Reading: Bar 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: Phil 1:4-6, 8-11

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: Lk 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 mortal will see the salvation of God.

Commentary

Advent is a time for conversion, a time to prepare the way for the coming of the kingdom of God. Conversion is a radical change of mentality, basic attitudes, a change of minds and hearts that manifest in a new lifestyle and behavior. Conversion is a prerequisite to celebrate the season of advent. Conversion is like going to the wilderness of the desert. It demands inner solitude, silence and self-awareness to listen to the voice of God and feel His presence. As C. Lewis said so well, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains." It is not only John and the prophets shouting at us in this season but God himself who constantly offers us His great love.

Read also: • Gospel Reflections by Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R.
          • Biblical Commentaries fro Diario Biblico

TOP