Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
Second Sunday of Advent, Year B – December 10, 2023
Readings: Is. 40:1-5.9-11; Responsorial Psalm Ps. 9ab and 10.11-12.13-14 (R.8); 2 Pet. 3:8-14; Gospel Mk. 1:1-8.
Theme: Prepare the Way!
Sunday Synopsis
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah states: “A voice cries out in the wilderness, prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.” In the second reading, St. Peter underlines that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. He surmises that we should do “our best to live lives without spot or stain” for the lord to find us at peace. The gospel seems to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah by unveiling John the Baptist as a voice crying out in the wilderness. John is identified as “the mouth of God” who proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. We are charged to prepare the way for the Lord!
Introduction
Dear friends in Christ, the Second Sunday of Advent urges Christians to prepare a way for the Lord. The liturgy charges us to be on top of our game in terms of spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ. This refection furnishes us with the required spiritual recipe for a blissful Christmas celebration.
Background and Summary of the Readings
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah (Is. 40:1-5.9-11) states: “A voice cries out in the wilderness, prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.” The prophet addresses the Lord as the “joyful messenger of Zion and Jerusalem who comes with power to subdue all things to him.” The text describes the Lord as a Shepherd who feeds his flock, gathers the lambs in his arms and holds them in his breast.
In the second reading (2 Pet. 3:8-14), St. Peter underlines that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. It urges that we “should be living holy and saintly lives” as we “wait and long for the Day of God to come.” He surmises that we should do “our best to live lives without spot or stain” so that he will find us at peace.
The gospel (Mk.1:1-8) seems to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah by unveiling John the Baptist as a voice crying out in the wilderness. John is identified as “the mouth of God” who proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem responded by going to the river Jordan to be baptized and have their sins forgiven. John feeds on locusts and honey amid a humble acknowledgement that he is not the Christ stressing that the person coming after him is more powerful, whose sandals he is unable to undo.
Pastoral Lessons
1. Concentrate Spiritually: Just as we spend so much time in preparing for a school examination or job interview, the Lord demands that our spiritual concentration during this Advent Season should be like a physician carrying out a caesarean section.
2. Be Proactive: In the light of the Season of Advent, we must fill every valley of spiritual emptiness and level every mountain or hill of pride in our lives.
3. Live Saintly Lives: We must appropriate St. Peter’s call to holiness by using this Holy Season to live saintly lives and wear the garment of righteousness through living without spot or stain.
4. Sue for Peace: Since the Lord expects to find us at peace, we must use the period of Advent to be advocates of peace building and creating a pluralistic society where everyone has the opportunity of living his or her life to the full.
5. We are called upon to take the example of John’s humility and mortification as well as the docility of the people of Judea and Jerusalem who responded to his call by going to the river Jordan to be baptized by seeking the sacraments of baptism and penance towards a blessed advent.
Summary Lines
1. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah says: “A voice cries out in the wilderness, prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.”
2. In the second reading, St. Peter states that the day of the Lord would come like a thief in the night.
3. He surmises that we should do “our best to live lives without spot or stain” so that he will find us at peace.
4. The gospel seems to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah in John the Baptist who emerges as a voice crying out in the wilderness.
5. John is identified as “the mouth of God” who proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Conclusion
In sum, our liturgy reminds us about the popular dictum “failure to plan is planning to fail.” As such, we must prepare an inn in our hearts where the baby Jesus would be born. In preparing a way for the God, our physical preparation must not surpass the spiritual. This implies that we must ask the Holy Spirit to help us in reconciling with our enemies and putting a smile on the faces of those who are materially disadvantaged during this Holy Season. May our preparation dispose us for the blessings of this season and beyond. Have a blessed week!
