The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, December 9, 2001
The Second Sunday of Advent
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17
Romans 15:4-9
Matthew 3:1-12
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on today's Scripture:
The Announcement. (trumpets, please)
Today, John the Baptist bursts upon the scene from seemingly nowhere, to
announce The Holy One who was about to appear -- the same One who was
foretold by the prophet Isaiah 800 years earlier. John was a messenger
of hope, like someone who can hardly contain himself from proclaiming
what was about to happen. From our perch in time, almost 2000 years
later, we too should be caught up in the excitement, the wonder of the
revelation of God's mercy which descended upon humankind in those days.
Yes, we who are so blessed by this totally awesome coming of God's grace
upon the world, now live in a time that has had the blessing of such a
multitude of holy, inspired people who have preceded us, who have
revealed to us the understanding and the nature of the Father's mercy
and the Son's atonement for our redemption.
Doesn't this call for a lively response from us? Over the past several
months, we have had the benefit of learning many lessons from daily
scripture. Now we must renew our appreciation of the Father's mercy and
compassion upon his most cherished of all creation: the human race. With
our great gift of free will, we have fallen. But by the Son's obedience
to become human like us and to offer his life for our redemption, we now
have the opportunity to shake off the shackles of Satan, and to take on
the likeness of Christ.
This coming celebration shall not be for us the secular world's greatest
holiday. No, it will be our sign of affirmation from the Father, that
salvation is coming. Let us prepare our rocky, crooked paths; let us
make them straight paths that the Lord may enter within.
- Joachim, ocds
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