Gospel: December 8, 2024
December 8, 2024 (Sunday)
2nd Sunday of Advent
Psalter: Week 2 / (Violet)
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 126: 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 (3)
The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
1st Reading: Baruch 5: 1-9
2nd Reading: Philippians 1: 4-6, 8-11
Gospel: Luke 3: 1-6
It was the fifteenth year of the rule of the Emperor Tiberius; Pontius Pilatus was governor of Judea; Herod ruled over Galilee, his brother Philip ruled over the country of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the High Priests at that time when the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John proclaimed a baptism for repentant people to obtain forgiveness of sins and he went through the whole country bordering the Jordan River. It was just as is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: listen to this voice crying out in the desert: prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight. The valleys will be filled and the mountains and hills made low. Everything crooked will be made straight and the rough paths smooth; and every human being will see the salvation of God.
Lectio Divina:
Read: It was the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius. Pontius Pilate ruled over Judea. Herod (Antipas) reigned in Galilee while his brother Philip ruled over Iturea and Trachonitis. Lysanias reigned in Abilene. At that time, the High Priests were Annas and Caiaphas. It was at that time when John (the Baptist), son of Zechariah, appeared, proclaiming the baptism of repentance. John went through the whole region, bordering the Jordan River. He proclaimed to the people to make straight the path and prepare the way of the Lord.
Reflect: Luke’s Gospel is perceived to have three introductions: the formal Prologue (cf. Lk 1:1-4), the Infancy Narrative (Lk 1:5–2:52) and what some commentators believe to be the original introduction (Lk 3:1-6). Today’s pericope is the third of these introductions. This passage basically follows the Markan material. The Gospel of Mark begins with the preaching of John the Baptist. The Gospel for today also contains the proclamation of John the Baptist. Luke, however, mentions the name of Zechariah, John’s father (cf. Infancy Narrative). This is preceded by names of historical figures. Luke seems to situate his version of the gospel in a historical setting. He accentuates the fact that God, through his Son Jesus Christ, entered history. In this Advent season, we are called to be more aware of God’s continuous interventions in history, both communal and personal.
Pray: Let us pray that we may become more aware of God’s presence in our personal and communal history.
Act: Be brave enough to be reconciled with a family member, friend, or neighbor by forgiving past wrongs.
