Readings for Dec. 7-8, Second Sunday of Advent
By Lyn Zahorik | For On Mission
A deacon or priest proclaiming the Gospel for Mass this weekend should be on high alert. One best be prepared and well rested before attempting to proclaim a Gospel containing names such as Ituraea, Trachonitis and Lysanias.
While these names may sound like serious diseases, Trachonitis and Lysanias were ancient regions northeast of Palestine, and Lysanias was a governor. Aside from lessons in pronunciation and geography, what is the real message of this Gospel?
First, Luke’s attention to historic detail reminds us that the events of the Gospel are not just spiritual truths, but are also grounded in real human history. “In the beginning” God was and then, at a chosen time, God broke into history by taking on human flesh in the form of a helpless baby.
The story of our salvation is real and not just a nostalgic story to warm our hearts as we set out the pieces of our Nativity set.
The Gospel states that John the Baptist preached his message of repentance all over the region. He did not stay in Jerusalem preaching to the religious elders, nor were his words directed only to the simple folk living in the villages. His message was directed to all people, regardless of their social or religious status.
John emphasized that everyone needs to turn back to God and seek forgiveness. His call to repentance highlighted the need for spiritual renewal and transformation.
John’s voice rings through the centuries, calling us to use this Advent time to seek inner renewal, focusing on areas where we need to grow spiritually and morally. During Advent, the sacrament of confession can assist us in making our crooked paths straight and paving the way to a deeper relationship with God.
John’s ministry serves as a powerful reminder of the need for preparation and openness to God’s work in our lives.
The prophecy that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” invites us to embrace the inclusive nature of God’s salvation. The Gospel transcends cultural, social and ethnic boundaries, offering hope to all.
During this second week of Advent, consider how you can encounter your inner John the Baptist. Wearing camel hair clothes and eating wild locusts is not required. Where can you make time to focus on your spiritual journey? What secular demands of Christmas preparation can you eliminate to live more purposefully?
Set aside time from shopping for gifts to reflect on how you can use your personal gifts and talents to serve God and others. And as you engage in self-examination and repentance, are there ways you can gently and humbly encourage others to seek spiritual renewal along with you?
Being like John the Baptist involves a combination of humility, courage and unwavering commitment to God’s mission. It’s about preparing ourselves for the changes we want to see, living with integrity and being courageous enough to stand up for what we believe in.
By embodying these traits, we can create a history worth remembering as we transform these remaining days leading to Christmas from a harried time to a holy time.
Zahorik is director for spiritual engagement at St. Mary Parish, Omro, and St. Mary Parish, Winneconne.
The readings for Sunday, Dec. 8, can be found at Second Sunday of Advent | USCCB.