2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Gospel (Luke 3:1 – 6) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” (Lk 3:4)

FIRST READING - Bar 5:1-9

First reading from the Book of Baruch

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.

SECOND READING from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians - Phil 1:4-6, 8-11

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.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Lk 3:1-6

From the Gospel according to Luke

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.”

2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Gospel (Luke 3:1 – 6)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

The Word of God today tells humanity about an earthly kingdom and a Glorious Kingdom of God who came to earth as a human. The earthly kingdom follows the human family, and has a term, but is also under the providence of the Supreme God. As for The Glorious Kingdom of God, it has existed since eternity and will last forever, never to be lost. This is also God's love for humanity. A Pure Eternal Love that cannot be tarnished or faded. That Love is so high, deep, and mysterious that humans cannot fully understand it.

It is because of the weakness and fragility of humans that God sent prophets before Him to prepare the way for Him to come down to earth as a human. The chosen prophet who opened the way for people to know the path of righteousness, the path of light, and the path of salvation of God was Saint John the Baptist. He came before Jesus was born. He called on people to prepare the way for the Savior to come to earth as s human, the One who will come to love and accompany humanity. The prophet called people to repent, turn away from sin, and return to God. Then they will meet God among humanity.

Today's Word of God, the forerunner of God, Saint John the Baptist, makes a clear statement regarding the sins of mankind. And what must people do to be worthy to welcome the Son of God coming to earth as a human?: The winding road must be straightened, the rough path must be smoothed. Meaning, if the human heart is still arrogant, then let it give up to live humbly, self-abasement, meekly, and submit to God's love; to give up sins, desires, passions, and worldliness to live an upright and complete life before God. To keep a pure and bright soul, without the stain of sin, and to welcome the mystery of the Son of God coming to earth as a human being. That truly, is the joy of enjoying the full salvation of the Supreme God, enjoying the light of His love. Because only He can bring life, peace, righteousness, and integrity to humans. Only His love can dispel the imprisonment and control of Satan which is raging on the souls and bodies of humans.Today, God, through Saint John the Baptist, calls out to all His children: to prostrate before the love of the Most High, the God of all. Turn to Him, abandon the path of sin, abandon hatred, division, jealousy, envy, rivalry, anger, death, escape from the darkness of lust brought by Satan and courageously enter the path of light, and joyfully receive God's salvation which is to reconcile with Him. To undergo His purification to avoid all occasions of sin, to abandon the temptations of Satan and submit to God's will because of fear of Him who is almighty, absolute, and infinitely powerful. Submit to God's immense love to live in peace and happiness, on the path of righteousness, the path of salvation that God has lovingly bestowed upon mankind.

In daily life, God calls His children to listen to the teachings of God, through the prophet sent by Him, Saint John the Baptist. Let us smooth out the rough road and eliminate evil deeds, sinful paths, adultery, and impurity in order to make our souls pure and bright, to be able to welcome the mystery of the Son of God coming to earth as a human being, to live amongst and love humanity. Let us give beautiful gifts to God, which are souls and bodies that live happily in the grace of the Holy Spirit with the fruits: of peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Thanks be to God. Amen.