{"id":5389,"date":"2020-12-06T11:52:46","date_gmt":"2020-12-06T16:52:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.renewaloffaith.org\/blog\/?p=5389"},"modified":"2020-12-06T11:52:46","modified_gmt":"2020-12-06T16:52:46","slug":"2nd-sunday-of-advent-year-b-homily-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.renewaloffaith.org\/blog\/2nd-sunday-of-advent-year-b-homily-2\/","title":{"rendered":"2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B – Homily"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

2nd<\/sup> Sunday of Advent, Year B<\/a>
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)
2 Peter 3:8-14
Mark 1:1-8
December 6, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scholars divide the Book of the Prophet Isaiah into three sections.  Today\u2019s reading from chapter 40 begins the second section.  God \u201cspeaks tenderly<\/em>\u201d to the people that their time of Exile is over.  This brings comfort to the people to know that their service, meaning punishment for their guilt is over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They can return to Israel.  As they prepare to set out on their way, they are called to \u201cprepare the way of the LORD!<\/em>\u201d and to \u201cmake straight.<\/em>\u201d  Literally, this speaks of their physical journey back to Jerusalem.  Spiritually it calls the (and us) to prepare a place in our hearts for the Lord.  Then the Lord will grant us his salvation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas is coming.  People will spend much time preparing food, decorating, and shopping for Christmas.  How much time will you spend on these things? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much time will you send preparing your hearts for the Lord?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The earthly things of Christmas are important but, as we prayed in our opening prayer, \u201cmay no earthly things hinder those who set out tin haste to meet your Son.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our gospel today describes a time just before Jesus begins his public ministry.  Just as Isaiah prepared the Jews for their return to Jerusalem, so is John the Baptist sent to \u201cPrepare the way of the Lord.  Make straight his paths.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John the Baptist calls the people to \u201ca baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.<\/em>\u201d  To make way for the Lord, we need to be cleaned of our sins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John the Baptist baptized people in the Jordan River.  This river had special symbolism because it was the river that the people crossed to enter the promised land after spending forty years in the desert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John was a simple man, living in the desert, feeding on locusts and wild honey, and \u201cclothed in camel\u2019s hair, with a leather belt around his waist<\/em>.\u201d  The dress was that of a prophet, totally centered on the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John was a humble man, acknowledging, \u201cOne mightier than I is coming after me.<\/em>\u201d  He even tells the people that the Baptism of Jesus will be something greater.  John\u2019s baptism was only for the forgiveness of sins.  Jesus\u2019 Baptism brings forgiveness.  It also brings the Holy Spirit to help us follow the Lord.  It makes us adopted children of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soon we will celebrate Christmas.  Are you ready for the celebration of Jesus\u2019 first coming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you ready for Jesus\u2019 Second Coming, \u201cconducting yourselves in holiness and devotion, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God\u201d<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We might feel too busy right now to give time to the Lord.  We might feel that since 2,000 years have gone by and Jesus hasn\u2019t come yet so we have plenty of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you feel when you think somebody puts you at the bottom of their list?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The people Peter wrote to in the second reading expected the Second Coming to happen at any moment.  So much so, that they feel that the Lord has been delayed in fulfilling his promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord never gave a specific time of when He would come again.  As to the question if the Lord is delayed, Peter speaks of how the Lord is patient with us, \u201cnot wishing that any should perish<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord wants to save us.  He patiently gives us time.  We should be grateful for this but we should not take advantage of his patience but delaying ourselves in preparing the way of the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, how do you feel when someone takes advantage of your generosity? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus is not generous with his patience so that we can go out and have a good time.  Jesus is generous with his patience and forgiveness because he loves us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lord, show us your kindness and \u201cteach us to judge wisely the things of earth and hold firm to things of Heaven\u201d (Prayer after Communion).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year BIsaiah 40:1-5, 9-11Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)2 Peter 3:8-14Mark 1:1-8December 6, 2020 Scholars divide the Book of the Prophet Isaiah into three sections.  Today\u2019s reading from chapter 40 begins the second section.  God \u201cspeaks tenderly\u201d to the people that their time of Exile is over.  This brings comfort to the …<\/p>\n

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