December 06, 2020. By Deacon Michael Houtchen
Second Sunday of Advent
Gospel Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah, the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”
John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water;he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Prepare the way of the Lord
Last week, the First Sunday of Advent, I wrote about preparing for the coming of the Lord, not only at Christmas but also at his second coming. Today, the second Sunday of Advent, it is fitting we talk about John the Baptist proclaiming the coming of the Lord. John wasn’t talking about Jesus’ birth or his second coming. John was referring to the coming Messiah. As recorded in Holy Scripture, ancient prophets have been trying to prepare the people of Israel for the Messiah’s coming throughout biblical history. John the Baptist is considered the last great prophet because Jesus would fulfill all previous prophecies.
As mentioned, Advent is the time we prepare for the coming of Christ. John preached about being prepared for the coming Messiah. Same thing. Those coming to the wilderness to hear him were to repent of their sins and be baptized. As Christians, we have already been baptized, but we still need forgiveness of our sins. During Advent, we have special penance services for just that reason. Usually, several priests would come to a parish to listen to confessions. They would be stationed around the church, separated far enough apart so as not to be heard. During this time of Pandemic, to my knowledge, regular penance services with multiple priests are not being held, but that shouldn’t stop you from going to confession. By going to confession, we are preparing the way of the Lord. We are making straight his paths. For there is one coming who I am not worthy to even untie his shoes.
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