Second Sunday Advent. Year B - Sunday, December 10, 2023
(EPISODE:451)
Readings for Sunday, 10 December 2023
FIRST READING: Isa 40:1-5, 9-11
Ps 85:9ab+10, 11-12, 13-14. "Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation"
SECOND READING: 2 Pet 3:8-14
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 3:4+6). Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
GOSPEL: Mark 1:1-8
Image Credit: Image: Photo by Ray Fragapane on Unsplash
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Second Sunday Advent. Year B - Sunday, December 10, 2023 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-second-sunday-of-advent-year-b-episode-451/s-VQO3nWcHtje
(EPISODE: 451)
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GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
*Prologue: To be even a tiny part of God's grand project is surely satisfaction enough. In the same way, wilfulness, pride and self-focus are obstacles to our peace and to accepting Christ's unconditional love.
May we appreciate more deeply, the reality of Christ's selfless and generous love and make it an ever deeper reality in our lives too.
O Come, Lord Jesus!!
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Homily:
A fitting quote (from Scripture commentator William Barclay), is quite apt for today. . .." In my youth, because I could not be a singer, I did not even try to write a song; and I planted no little trees along the roadside Because I knew their growth would take so long and I would never see them fully grown. But now from the wisdom that the years have brought me, I know that it may be a blessed thing; to plant a tree for someone else to water and enjoy or make a song that someone else will sing when I cannot." (William Barclay).
The goal will never be reached unless the labourers unite to make it possible, under the great architect's plan. Each one adds their little bit to a project much bigger than any one of us.
God's plan was being unfolded long before we came on the scene and it will continue to come to fruition long after we have finished our earthly journey.
In the gospel, we hear that those who were baptised also confessed their sins. . .. Admitting to our sins and faults is difficult. But when we do this we straighten the path between us and God. Often, the most difficult person to admit sin, is actually ourselves. For example, when the prodigal son took off with half his father's property, he probably thought very well of himself. He thought he was a fine and clever young man who will make it big. But, later, in extreme poverty, as he even longed to eat the scraps of pigs' food and realised his folly, he would first have had to admit to himself how pathetically he had acted. Even before he returned to his father, he had to look at himself honestly and humbly, and it must have been very deflating and difficult. But he could not have imagined the astounding love and mercy he would receive when he made a straight path back to his father.
We must let the barriers down… and fill in the valleys of pride and self-satisfaction. It is not the person who desires to meet God on equal terms who will discover forgiveness, grace and compassion - but rather, the person who falls to their knees and whispers: "Lord, I need you! I am a terrible mess without your help. Be merciful to me, for I am a sinner!"
The Prophet Isaiah in the first reading speaks of comfort for God's people. God assures the people that they have 'done their time' for their sins. The debt is cancelled. However, one gets a distinct feeling that God is just being kind and generous. We couldn't have paid off the debt; but God, in His love and mercy has cancelled it and written "paid in full" anyway. Another act of astounding generosity.
John the Baptist was out in the desert. This reminds us of the time when the People of Israel wandered in the desert and lived in the wilderness for forty years, In that time, they were utterly reliant on God's providence. They had nothing else but the presence and leadership of God's guiding hand. The people had to trust totally in God's wisdom and care. For the most part, they were humble and grateful people. (although at times, for those who trudged the relentless desert paths, - pride, distrust and ingratitude got the better of many of them)
In the process of trying to give up sin and live with virtue, we often find it difficult. Even after years of struggle, we can often find ourselves still facing the same sins and defects in our lives. But let us not lose hope. The Lord assures and comforts us…… He comes to save us, not to condemn us. The secret is to trust completely in Jesus Christ. To surrender to God. To stop wrangling with God and resisting him with our wilfulness. We humbly admit our need for Our Lord's grace and mercy.
Everything God gives us is a grace -- Gifts and blessings are given, completely and unreservedly in love for all people….By contrast, we are tempted to keep score or place conditions on love, or by "trying to live as if we were an island complete of itself," this is what creates valleys and mountains – making rocky the pathway of communication and the friendship between God and ourselves.
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References:
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Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Mark. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press
Leonard, R. (2006). Preaching to the converted. New York: Paulist Press.
Fr Paul Kelly
Monastery of Christ in the Desert. Abbot's Homily. Advent 2, Year B. 2008.
PrepareTheWord.com © 2008, TrueQuest Communications, LLC.
Image Credit: Image: Photo by Ray Fragapane on Unsplash
Second Sunday Advent. Year B (Sunday, December 10, 2023) (EPISODE: 451)
The Lord be with you.
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{{May Our Lord's empathy abide in you.}} welcome everyone, we gather - Reflect upon the Holy Scriptures On this Second Sunday Advent. Year B
As one family in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by calling to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick:Lord, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners:Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength: Lord, have mercy.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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Ps 85:9ab+10, 11-12, 13-14. "Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 3:4+6). Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
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PREFACE: Advent I
Eucharistic Prayer III
Communion side. pwk:
(theme variation: 3 )
(post version: v1-short)
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{Cheers and thanks everyone for this time of prayer and reflection - I hope you have a blessed week.}
Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
"O Come. Lord. (Advent)" - In Memory of Paolo Mario (Paul) Giacomantonio (1968-2020).
By Paul W. Kelly. Based on the Ancient church "O Antiphons" of Advent.
Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics, By Stefan Kelk, 2020.
[ Production - KER - 2023]
May God bless and keep you.
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Roman Missal, 3rd edition, 2010, (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA.
"The Psalms" by The Grail - 1963, 2009.
Prayers of the Faithful - Robert Borg "Together we pray" - (1993)
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