As we journey through the season of Advent, the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent invite us to reflect on themes of preparation, hope, and the transformative power of God's presence. This Sunday, we are called to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ, both in the celebration of Christmas and in His eventual return.
What is Advent?
We are now in the holy season of Advent where we prepare for Christ's coming at Christmas and the second coming at the end of time. It is a spiritual period to meditate on these two mysteries and prepare for them. We use the wreath and 4 candles to mark the 4 weeks before Christmas.
Three of the candles are purple and one is rose or pink. The purple symbolizes preparation through penance and prayer. Purple is also used during Lent. Another way to see it is purple is a physical sign of healing. When we get hurt, the injury becomes purple. During the time of healing, it remains purple until it clears up. Sin hurts us and we need time to heal from it by using the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist, Prayer, Fasting, Indulgences, and genuine Spiritual life.
The rose/pink is for the third Sunday or Gaudete Sunday which means "Sunday of Joy." We are joyous because we are getting closer to Christ's birth. As each week goes on, we light the candle that corresponds to that week. We at Sacerdotus now offer masks and shirts with the Advent wreath. See the end of this post for the link.
First Reading: Baruch 5:1-9
In the first reading, the prophet Baruch offers a message of hope and restoration to the people of Israel:
"Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship. Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God. Led away on foot by their enemies they left you: but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones. For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God. The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God’s command; for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company."
Baruch's words are a powerful reminder of God's promise to restore and renew His people. The imagery of taking off the "robe of mourning and misery" and putting on the "splendor of glory" symbolizes a profound transformation. This reading encourages us to trust in God's plan and to look forward with hope, knowing that He will bring about justice and peace.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
The responsorial psalm echoes the theme of joy and restoration:
"The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. Then they said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.' The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves."
This psalm is a song of thanksgiving and joy, celebrating God's faithfulness and the restoration of His people. It reminds us that even in times of sorrow and hardship, God is at work, bringing about new life and joy.
Second Reading: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
In the second reading, St. Paul writes to the Philippians, expressing his gratitude and prayers for their growth in faith:
"Brothers and sisters: I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God."
Paul's words are a beautiful expression of hope and encouragement. He reminds the Philippians that God, who began a good work in them, will bring it to completion. This reading calls us to grow in love and righteousness, preparing ourselves for the coming of Christ.
Gospel: Luke 3:1-6
The Gospel reading from Luke introduces John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Jesus:
"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
John the Baptist's call to repentance and preparation is a central theme of Advent. He urges us to make straight the paths of our lives, removing obstacles that hinder our relationship with God. This Gospel reading challenges us to examine our hearts and to embrace the transformative power of repentance and forgiveness.
Reflection
The readings for the Second Sunday of Advent invite us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Baruch's prophecy and the psalm remind us of God's promise to restore and renew His people, filling us with hope and joy. Paul's letter to the Philippians encourages us to grow in love and righteousness, trusting that God will complete the good work He has begun in us. Finally, John the Baptist's call to repentance challenges us to make straight the paths of our lives, preparing the way for the Lord.
As we continue our Advent journey, let us embrace these themes of hope, preparation, and transformation. May we open our hearts to God's presence, allowing His mercy and justice to guide us. And may we joyfully anticipate the coming of Christ, both at Christmas and in His eventual return.
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: [USCCB](https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120824.cfm)
: [Catholic Leaf](https://www.catholicleaf.com/mass-readings-and-reflections-dec-08-2024/)
: [Catholic Gallery](https://www.catholicgallery.org/mass-reading/081224/)
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