liturgical bible study - 2nd sunday advent b

8/10/2019 Liturgical Bible Study - 2nd Sunday Advent B

1/29

Sunday ReadingsCommentary and Reflections

2ndSunday of Advent BDecember 7, 2014

In preparation for the Sunday Readings

As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM


2/29

1stReading: Isaiah 40,1-5.9-11

1 Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. 2 Speaktenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at anend, her guilt is expiated. Indeed, she has received from the hand ofthe LORD double for all her sins.

3 A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! 4 Everyvalley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low.The rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broadvalley. 5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and allmankind shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hasspoken.

9 Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings. Cry out atthe top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to

cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! 10 Herecomes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm. Hereis his reward with him, his recompense before him. 11 Like ashepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs.Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

The focus is on preparingthe WAY OF THE LORD.


3/29


1 Comfort, give comfort to my

people, says your God. 2 Speaktenderly to Jerusalem, andproclaim to her that her service isat an end, her guilt is expiated;Indeed, she has received fromthe hand of the LORD double forall her sins.

3 A voice cries out: In the desertprepare the way of the LORD!Make straight in the wasteland ahighway for our God! 4 Everyvalley shall be filled in, everymountain and hill shall be made

low; The rugged land shall bemade a plain, the rough country,a broad valley. 5 Then the gloryof the LORD shall be revealed,and all mankind shall see ittogether; for the mouth of theLORD has spoken.

Commentary

In vv.1-2ab God asks the prophetIsaiah to comfort the peopleIsrael in Exile.

The rest of v.2 talks of thereasons why they should becomforted: Their sufferings, as punishment

for their sins, are about to end.

They have suffered more than

enough. They have served theirsentence. (v.2)

Vv.3-4 announce the coming ofthe Lord, who will put an end totheir sufferings.

Therefore, they must prepare,pave the way for the coming ofthe Lord (valley be filled up,mountain made low).

They must facilitate his coming.

V.5 gives the reason for theLords coming. To reveal his glory


4/29


9 Go up onto a high

mountain, Zion, herald ofglad tidings. Cry out at thetop of your voice,Jerusalem, herald of goodnews! Fear not to cry outand say to the cities ofJudah: Here is your God!

10 Here comes with powerthe Lord GOD, who rulesby his strong arm. Here ishis reward with him, hisrecompense before him.11 Like a shepherd he

feeds his flock; in his armshe gathers the lambs,Carrying them in hisbosom, and leading theewes with care.

V.9 commands Zion //

Jerusalem (herald of gladtidings // good news) toproclaim the presence of Godin their midst.

V.10 describes Gods coming:

with power rules by strong arm

brings reward // recompense

V.11 describes Gods purpose

in coming: to feed his flock

to gather the lambs, carries in hisbosom (intimacy)

to lead the ewes with care


5/29

Short Background of the 1st Reading

The reading comes from the first part of the second

book of Isaiah. Just for your information or reminder: The Book of

Isaiah has three parts, namely

Proto-Isaiah: chs. 1-39 (in Jerusalem)

Deutero-Isaiah: chs. 40-55 (in Exile) Trito-Isaiah chs. 56-66

Deut-Is is dubbed as the Book of Consolation.

The Israelites have been in exile for many years.

Nebuchadnezzar brought them to Babylon,destroying their institutions in Judah, the priesthood,

kingship, etc., threatening their identity and religion.

(587 BC)


6/29

Now the prophet in exile, taking the spirit and style of

Isaiah of Jerusalem 200 years earlier, announces the

end of the exile.

The end of the exile means the restoration of their

legitimate institutions (worship in the Temple, being

ruled by a good king). The author sees the end of the

exile as the beginning of Gods rule over Israel / Judah

(539 BC).


7/29

Reflections on the First Reading

Our experience is also written in the experience of theIsraelites in exile.

We, too, experience being defeated by our enemies. Weare also exiled cast aside, taken for granted, rejected, stripped of our rights, forced to leave

our homes, given unwanted assignments and thrown into unfamiliarsituations.

We feel we are being punished.

The experience of exile may be as a result of our own doing. We violated some laws or betrayed our friends.

We were not mindful of our obligations to God and to our community. We did not pay our bills.

We did not exercise self-control.

The Season of Advent is to celebrate Gods coming torestore us.


8/29

Resp. Ps 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14

R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us yoursalvation.

9 I will hear what God proclaims;the LORD for he proclaims peace to his people.10 Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,

glory dwelling in our land.

11 Kindness and truth shall meet;justice and peace shall kiss.12 Truth shall spring out of the earth,and justice shall look down from heaven.

13 The LORD himself will give his benefits;our land shall yield its increase.14 Justice shall walk before him,and prepare the way of his steps.


9/29

Resp. Ps 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14 R. (8) Lord, let us see your

kindness, and grant us yoursalvation.

9 I will hear what God proclaims;the LORD for he proclaims peaceto his people.10 Near indeed is his salvation tothose who fear him,glory dwelling in our land.

11 Kindness and truth shall meet;justice and peace shall kiss.12 Truth shall spring out of theearth,and justice shall look down fromheaven.

13 The LORD himself will give hisbenefits;our land shall yield its increase.14 Justice shall walk before him,and prepare the way of his steps.

Commentary The psalm is classified as a

community lament.

It expresses the message of the firstreading in the form of prayer.

In v.9, the psalmist expresses his lovefor what God proclaims, which ispeace.

Along with peace is salvation for theGod-fearers. V.10

In vv.11-12, kindness, truth, peace,

and justice will pervade upon theearth.

V.13 expresses Gods sense ofjustice to mankind: he will make theland increase its produce.

V.14 describes how the Lord willcome.


10/29


11/29

2ndReading: 2 Peter 3,8-14

8 Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord oneday is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.

9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard "delay,"but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perishbut that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of theLordwill comelike a thief, and then the heavens will pass awaywith a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire,

and the earth and everything done on it will be found out. 11Since everything is to be dissolved in this way, what sort ofpersons ought (you) to be, conducting yourselves in holinessand devotion, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of theday of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved inflames and the elements melted by fire. 13 But according to his

promise we await new heavens and a new earth in whichrighteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you awaitthese things, be eager to be found without spot or blemishbefore him, at peace.

The focus is on thecoming day of the Lord.


12/29

2ndReading: 2 Peter 3,8-14

8 Do not ignore this one fact, beloved,that with the Lord one day is like athousand years and a thousand years

like one day. 9 The Lord does notdelay his promise, as some regard"delay," but he is patient with you, notwishing that any should perish but thatall should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lordwill comelike a thief, and then the heavens willpass away with a mighty roar and the

elements will be dissolved by fire, andthe earth and everything done on it willbe found out. 11 Since everything is tobe dissolved in this way, what sort ofpersons ought (you) to be, conductingyourselves in holiness and devotion,12 waiting for and hastening thecoming of the day of God, because of

which the heavens will be dissolved inflames and the elements melted by fire.13 But according to his promise weawait new heavens and a new earth inwhich righteousness dwells. 14Therefore, beloved, since you awaitthese things, be eager to be foundwithout spot or blemish before him, at

peace.

Commentary

V.8 God reckons time differently

from us.

For God: 1 day = 1000 years andvice versa.

V.9 The seeming delay is a time for

us to make up our minds (to

change ourselves). God does not

intend to lose anyone. V.10 The Day of the Lord is sudden

and dissolves everything.

Vv.11-12 Christians living in

holiness and devotion will not be

affected. Vv.13-14 They, who await for his

coming and have no sin, will be in

the new heavens and new earth.


13/29

Reflections on the 2ndreading

The reading invites the listeners to live withoutblame, in preparation for the day of the Lord.

There is no other way to prepare for the newheavens and the new earth than to live without

fault. Living without fault is not an accident.

The Christian can do it if he mindfully listens tothe prodding of God and to his warnings written inthe scriptures.


14/29

Reflections on the 2ndreading

Each day, each minute is a chance for us tochange and to reform. One must take advantageof this amnesty now, for afterwards, there will be

no more second chances. Dont wait for the last minute. There is no suchthing as the last minute, or last 2 seconds, forJesus will suddenly come, according to the

reading. Be guided by the Word of God.


15/29

Gospel reading: Mark 1,1-8

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ (the Son ofGod). 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, I am

sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare yourway. 3 A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare theway of the Lord, make straight his paths.'" 4 John (the)Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism ofrepentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 People of thewhole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants ofJerusalem were going out to him and were being baptizedby him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged theirsins. 6 John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leatherbelt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. 7

And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I iscoming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen thethongs of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water;he will baptize you with the holy Spirit."


16/29

Gospel Reading: Mark 1,1-8

Gospel

1 The beginning of the gospel ofJesus Christ (the Son of God).

Prophecy

2 As it is written in Isaiah theprophet: "Behold, I am sending

my messenger ahead of you; hewill prepare your way. 3 A voiceof one crying out in the desert:'Prepare the way of the Lord,make straight his paths.'"

John the Baptist

4 John (the) Baptist appeared inthe desert proclaiming abaptism of repentance for theforgiveness of sins.

Commentary

V.1 announces what is tobe read: a gospel of JesusChrist, the son of God.

The gospel of Mark is thefirst literary type of its

kind. Vv.2 -3 pick up the message of

the first reading and Malachi3,1.

V.4 Mark identifies the

voice in the desert asJohn the Baptist. Markinterprets the message -prepare the way asbaptism of repentance.


17/29

Gospel Reading: Mark 1,1-8

Conversions

5 People of the whole Judeancountryside and all the inhabitantsof Jerusalem were going out tohim and were being baptized byhim in the Jordan River as theyacknowledged their sins. 6

Description of John John was clothed in camel's hair,

with a leather belt around hiswaist. He fed on locusts and wildhoney.

His message /witnessing

7 And this is what he proclaimed:"One mightier than I is comingafter me. I am not worthy to stoopand loosen the thongs of hissandals. 8 I have baptized youwith water; he will baptize you withthe holy Spirit."

V. 5 describes the

overwhelming response ofthe people in the barrios ofJudaea and the inhabitants ofJerusalem.

They allowed themselvesto be baptized as theyacknowledged their sins.

V. 6 describes the simpleattire and food of John.

Vv.7-8 express Johnshumility (feeling ofunworthiness) and thegreatness of the one yet tocome.


18/29

Further observations

The very first line is very important in the interpretation ofthe whole gospel of Mark.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

This introduction announces that the gospel is a story ofan extraordinary person. He is not just an ordinary person of Nazareth, but identified as

Christ (Messiah), the Son of God, with a special mission.

All the readers and listeners of the gospel must,

therefore, take the story seriously. Jesus does not appear right away in the gospel. Johnthe Baptist comes first.

Johns mission is to prepare the people for theappearance of Jesus as the prophets had foretold.


19/29

Reflections on the gospel reading

The call of repentanceis loud and clear in the gospelreading.

Repentanceis the way to prepare to meet Jesus Christwhen he comes to begin his ministry.

The reading suggests that without repentancewe cannot

follow the teachings of Jesus. What is repentance?

To await for the coming of Jesus to teach us. We have beeninfluenced by other people and by the world, absorbing theirteachings and values.

With the coming of Jesus, we need to stand prepared forthe new teachings of the new teacher, the Christ, andassimilate his values.

Jesus brings good news: salvation.


20/29

Tying the three readings and the Psalm

We must preparefor the way of the Lord (1streading). The Lord who comes is totally different from the worldly lords.

He will restore his people, free them from sufferings and evilrule.

The psalm gives the purpose of Gods coming

(salvation). Preparethe way of the Lord. (gospel reading),through

repentance (change of teachers, change of valuesystem).

When the Lord comes, we must be prepared(be found

blameless in his sight) (2ndreading).

Take note of the order of the readings: 1streadinggospel2ndreading.

It is much better if you follow this historical order as you develop your homily. The

first reading and the gospel talk about the 1stcoming of Jesus, the second

reading about the 2ndcoming of Jesus.


21/29

How to develop our homily / sharing

We should focus on the word preparation aswe are in the season of Advent.

To understand the word preparation better, we

should be able to answer the following

questions:

What are we preparing for?

We are preparing for the coming of Jesus.

Who is this person / Lord who deserves ourpreparation?

He is the Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah, sent to

redeem us.


22/29

What kind of preparationshould we make

according to the readings?

Preparationfor the coming of the Lord is none

other than repentance from sinful living.


23/29

The first reading tells us that we should facilitate the

coming of the Lord. (Make straight his paths)

We pave the way to make his coming to our hearts

easier, through conversion.

We dont harden our hearts.

We must acknowledge our woundedness, our poverty,

our experiences of sin and rejection.

We pray for his coming to change and improve our life. Are you willing to change or you just want to enjoy your

sins? (Wretched soul!)


24/29

The gospel reading tells us that the bestway to welcome Jesus is through personal

conversion (metanoia) and cleansing.

As Catholics, we interpret this as receivingthe sacrament of confession and

promising God to do better and not to

draw near the occasions of sin.


25/29

The gospel teaches us that we give upself-rule (autonomy, very secular, livingindependently from God, living according to ones

tastes)and that we allow ourselves to be

ruled by Jesus.

We adopt Jesus as our teacher, whose

teachings lead us to salvation, and be

docile to him.


26/29

The second reading teaches us that thesecond coming of Jesus Christ is sudden.

The conversion that is asked of us is living

blamelessly in the Lord, day after day. We make sure that at any time of the day

we are disposed to meet Jesus.

We can now begin living as if we were inthe new heavens and new earth.

We should not delay our conversion.


27/29

The eucharistis for those who are converted.

When we receive the eucharist, we are telling

the Lord and the congregation

that we have submitted ourselves to God and that we are ready to meet the Lord on Christmas,

today, and at the end of time.

Our prayerful and active participation in the holy

eucharistis itself our preparation for his coming.

In the eucharist, Jesus assures us of our

salvation.


28/29

Our Context of Sin and Grace

Still living in un-

freedom

Living as if nobody is

coming. Self-righteous

No spiritual values

Misguidedpreparations (more onexternals)

No conversion (cantfollow Christ)

Conversion

Cleansing from sin andevil, goes to confession

Keen to the voice of theprophet

Sees connectionbetween listening to the

Word of God / receivingHoly Communion andthe coming of the Lord.


29/29

Suggested Songs

Make Straight the Path http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWlq2ouoEMg

Prepare Ye

Halina, Hesus, Halina

O Come O Come Emmanuel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWlq2ouoEMghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWlq2ouoEMg

liturgical bible study - 2nd sunday advent b

Documents