Readings: Second Sunday of Advent (B)

First Reading

 

First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11

"Be comforted, my people, 
be strengthened," says your God.
"Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, proclaim to her 
that her time of bondage is at an end,
that her guilt has been paid for,
that from the hand of Yahweh
she has received double punishment
for all her iniquity."

A voice cries, 
"In the wilderness prepare the way for Yahweh.
Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley will be raised up;
every mountain and hill will be laid low.
The stumbling blocks shall become level
and the rugged places smooth.
The glory of Yahweh will be revealed,
and all mortals together will see it;
for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken."
Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of Zion,
lift up your voice with strength,
fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem
and announce to the cities of Judah:
"Here is your God!"
Here comes your God with might;
his strong arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and here before him is his booty.
Like a shepherd he tends his flock:
he gathers the lambs in his arms,
he carries them in his bosom,
gently leading those that are with young.

Responsorial Psalm

 

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14

R./ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. 

I will hear what God proclaims; 
the Lord — for he proclaims peace to his people. 
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, 
glory dwelling in our land. 
R./ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Kindness and truth shall meet; 
justice and peace shall kiss. 
Truth shall spring out of the earth, 
and justice shall look down from heaven. 
R./ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

The Lord himself will give his benefits; 
our land shall yield its increase. 
Justice shall walk before him, 
and prepare the way of his steps. 
R./ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Second Reading

 

Second Reading: 2nd Peter 3:8-14

Do not forget, brothers and sisters, that with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. The Lord does not delay in fulfilling his promise, though some speak of delay; rather he gives you time because he does not want anyone to perish, but that all may come to conversion. The Day of the Lord is to come like a thief. Then the heavens will dissolve with a great noise; the elements will melt away by fire, and the earth with all that is on it will be burned up.

Since all things are to vanish, how holy and religious your way of life must be, as you wait for the Day of God and long for its coming, when the heavens will dissolve in fire and the elements melt away in the heat. We wait for a new heaven and a new earth in which justice reigns, according to God's promise.

Therefore, beloved, as you wait in expectation of this, strive that God may find you rooted in peace, without blemish or fault.

Holy Gospel

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 1:1-8

This is the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of Isaiah, the prophet, "I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare your way. Let the people hear the voice calling in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, level his paths."

So John began to baptize in the desert; he preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judea and all the people from the city of Jerusalem went out to John to confess their sins and be baptized by him in the river Jordan.
John was clothed in camel's hair and wore a leather garment around his waist. His food was locusts and honey. He preached to the people saying, "After me comes one who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. As for me, I am not worthy to bend down and untie his sandals."

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