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Father Michael's Thoughts this week
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT WEEKLY THOUGHTS - DECEMBER 10, 2023.
Dear friends, welcome to the celebration of the Second Sunday of Advent. Thank you to everyone who turned up to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception last Friday. Mary, like her Son, Jesus, is at the center of our salvation. She is full of grace. She is one God has done great things. She is holy and enjoys a favored position as a mother of Jesus. Mary wants us all her children to possess her qualities of holiness, obedience, humility, and patience.
The Readings of this Sunday continue with the theme of being alert and prepared as we keep watch for the second coming of Jesus; prince of peace and justice. The Readings of this Sunday call us all to conversion of heart as a spiritual preparation for Jesus to find room into our hearts.
In the Gospel taken from Mark 1:1-8 we hear John the Baptist announcing the message of repentance for the reason that the kingdom of God is at hand. John is the prophet Isiah spoke of as he called upon the people; “prepare the way of the Lord and make his paths straight.” This indeed is the actual meaning of Advent. We are called to prepare ourselves for Jesus our savior who comes to bring us the gift of peace in our lives despite the looming violence in the Middle East.
The Liturgy of the Word invites us to prepare ourselves spiritually by letting ourselves be reconciled with God and with one another. My inner conversion must be realistic or authentic leading me to action like opening my eyes to the plight of the poor around me and do something. The angel tree and kids’ gifts are a concrete example of action in our community.
John challenges the religious leaders of the time to embrace genuine reform as he appeals to them to produce good fruit as evidence of repentance.
Let the sign of our inner transformation shows itself in the life we live. It should go beyond coming for Sunday Mass. It should work for peace and justice beginning at home. It should work towards acceptance of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Have a great week.
