Second Sunday of Advent Year C

The beginning of the Church’s New Year, the Season of Advent, is a good time to look back as well as forward. We begin our prayer in the present moment with God, but we are not the same people as we were a year ago. Our journey of life with God has changed us, sometimes in surprising ways.

We may be able to sing with the Psalmist of the marvels of God, our hearts filled with laughter and gladness. Or it may be that our experience has been one of tears and, like the exiled Israelites, we need the words of encouragement from the First Reading to remind us that sorrow can be transformed by God into joy.

St Paul (Second Reading) remembers the faithfulness of the Philippians and prays that they may continue to grow in holiness and knowledge of God. We, too, might pray to have their faithfulness and to continue to grow in the love of God during the coming year.

John the Baptist hears the word of God in the wilderness and emerges to proclaim our Lord’s coming (Gospel). His promises are anchored in a particular moment of history.

Here, in our own time and place, we listen to God’s word knowing that we, too, are invited to “Prepare a way for the Lord” in our own lives and in our world.

What marvels the Lord worked for us!

Indeed we were glad!

Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight … and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.  Gospel

The name God gives you forever will be,

“Peace through integrity, and honour through devotedness”.   First Reading

My prayer is that your love for each other may increase more and more … Second Reading

This week’s texts if you want to reflect further:

Baruch 5: 1–9; Psalm 125 (126); Philippians 1: 3–6, 8–11; Luke 3: 1–6