2nd Sunday of Advent (Cycle C, Year II)

Community Word:  God gave us Jesus Christ to be our way to salvation.

Theme:     We believe Jesus Christ is our way to salvation when we repent of our wrongdoings and ask for forgiveness.

Promise:     “Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.” (Ps 126:5)

Reflection:               

In contrast to the powerful names of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Annas and Caiaphas mentioned in the gospel, John the Baptist had no exalted title, position or credentials.  He came from humble origin, the son of Zechariah,and who lives in the dessert.  But John is given the best credential – he was especially chosen by God to be the precursor to Jesus, the Word of God.  John was the voice of God for His people to prepare and make way for the Lord.  And he carried out his mission with simplicity and in faithfulness to God.
Like John the Baptist, we are also called and given the mission to be God’s voice in proclaiming “repentance for the forgiveness of sins” and to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord by listening and being sensitive to the voice of His messengers.  Advent is a season to create and set asidetime and space each day to be with the Lord, so that He may speak to us. It is the time when we straighten the crooked paths of our life through prayer, reading of Holy Scriptures and other spiritual readings and receiving the Sacraments.  It is in the quiet times of prayer that we will hear God’s voice in the midst of the noise around us. As we wait for His coming, no matter what happens, nurture patient endurance, courage and self-discipline in order to face the challenges of building up His Kingdom.

We are now into the second week of our Advent preparation and God continues to reach out and speak to us.  Jesus has come and He comes again to live in our hearts and in our spirits.  But as what John the Baptist proclaimed, we cannot hope to meet the Lord andbenefit from the yearly remembrance of Advent if our hearts are filled with pride, selfishness, envy and unforgiveness.  Our hearts must be renewed and truly transformed, even slowly.  Let us stand firm on this week’s theme:  We believe Jesus Christ is our way to salvation when we repent of our wrongdoing and ask forgiveness.

In the first reading from the book of Baruch, Advent is a time to return to God.  It is a time to welcome back people who have been swayed away and deceived by the world.  Advent is an opportunity to re-establish a deeper relationship with Christ, a time for reparation and finding the road back to the merciful heart of Jesus.  St. Paul’s prayer in the second reading encourages the Philippians to learn and value the things that matter.  When we come face to face with God, will He find wisdom in us, one inspired by the core of Jesus’ teachings and example to truly love and be loved?

Advent ushers in a season of hope. The coming of Jesus gives us a chance to see the deeper meaning of our lives; whydespite our many troubles and moments of uncertainties, there is so much to hope and live for.   The reality is that we have a God who is among us, a God who does not only save, but one who desires to build a relationship of love and communion among His people.  He is our God who is greater than all our miseries and problems, who constantly renews our lives and brings lasting joy in the midst of struggles and difficulties.  Therefore, let us delight in this week’s bible promise: “Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.” (Ps 126:5).

Prayer:
Loving and merciful Jesus, we thank you for calling us to be simple, faithful and truthful messengers of your Good News, even if we are unworthy.  But, You have given us the grace of forgiveness and allowed us to live a loving relationship with you and the Father in unity with the Holy Spirit.  Allow us to show others through our renewed life with You, the greatness of our calling and your abounding goodness especially this Advent season.  Amen.

Reflection Question:
1. How can I make myself worthy of God’s call to be a new John the Baptist in modern times?
2. How can I see God who continues to come into my life in the midst of the many problems and difficulties that I experience?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
December 6, 2015 (Sun)    Bar 5:1-9/Ps 126:1-2,2-3,4-5,6/Phil 1:4-6,8-11/Lk 3:1-6
December 7, 2015 (Mon)    Is 35:1-10/Ps 85:9,10,11-12,13-14/Lk 5:17-26
December 8, 2015 (Tue)    Gn 3:9-15,20/Ps 98:1,2-3,3-4/Eph 1:3-6,11-12/Lk 1:26-38
December9, 2015 (Wed)    Is 40:25-31/Ps 103:1-2,3-4,8,10/Mt 11:28-30
December 10, 2015 (Thu)    Is 41:13-20/Ps 145:1,9,10-11,12-13/Mt 11:11-15
December 11, 2015 (Fri)    Is 48:17-19/Ps 1:1-2,3,4,6/Mt 11:16-19
December 12, 2015 (Sat)    Is Zec 2:14-17/Jdt 13:18-19/Lk 1:26-38

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ.  Read your Bible daily!”

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