＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

 Be comforted, my people,

Be strengthened, says your God.  Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, proclaim to her that her time of bondage is at an end, that her guilt has been paid for, that from the hand of Yahweh she has received double punishment for all her iniquity.

 A voice cries, “In the wilderness prepare the way for Yahweh. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley will be raised up; every mountain and hill will be laid low. The stumbling blocks shall become level and the rugged places smooth.

 The glory of Yahweh will be revealed, and all mortals together will see it; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”  Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of Zion, lift up your voice with strength, fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem and announce to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!

 Here comes your God with might; his strong arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and here before him is his booty.  Like a shepherd he tends his flock:  he gathers the lambs in his arms, he carries them in his bosom, gently leading those that are with young.

 

Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14(8)

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

2 Peter 3:8-14

 Do not forget, beloved, that with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. The Lord does not delay in fulfilling his promise, though some speak of delay; rather he gives you time because he does not want anyone to perish, but that all may come to conversion.  

The Day of the Lord is to come like a thief. Then the heavens will dissolve with a great noise; the elements will melt away by fire, and the earth with all that is on it will be burned up. 

 Since all things are to vanish, how holy and religious your way of life must be, as you wait for the Day of God and long for its coming, when the heavens will dissolve in fire and the elements melt away in the heat. 

We wait for a new heaven and a new earth in which justice reigns, according to God’s promise.  Therefore, beloved, as you wait in expectation of this, strive that God may find you rooted in peace, without blemish or fault.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Mark 1:1-8

 This is the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  It is written in the book of Isaiah, the proph­et, “I am send­ing my messenger ahead of you to prepare your way.   Let the people hear the voice calling in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, level his paths.”

So John began to baptize in the desert; he preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.   All Judea and all the people from the city of Jerusalem went out to John to confess their sins and be baptized by him in the river Jordan.

 John was clothed in camel’s hair and wore a leather belt    around his waist. His food was locusts and honey.   He preached to the people saying, “After me comes one who is more powerful than I am;   I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Read:

The readings proclaim God’s gracious answer to Iseael’s prayer for mercy last Sunday. Isaiah speaks of an end to the travails of the exiled people of God, that God has “repented of his anger” is now about to reveal his mercy. In the fullness of time the Savior will come.

Nevertheless, the Lord, who will come at the end of time, expects his people to prepare the way for his return as Lord and judge. Fortunately, the Lord sends prophets like John the Baptist, to prepare us for “The Day of the Lord.”

For those who ar prepared that day would be a day of joy; for those who are not prepared it would be a fearful day.

Reflect:

We seek the mercy of God. truly, our God is full of compassion and mercy. Nevertheless, God desires us to repent as we heed the prophets the Lord always sends our way. John the Baptist then, our Church and her pastors today.

Pray:

Are you afraid of the “Day of the Lord,” the day of final reckoning? Are you afraid to die? Or better, are you prepared to die, to see the face of God?

Act:

Pope Francis say that God is always ready to forgive, but often we are the ones who are very hesitant in seeking his mercy and forgiveness. Remembering that we will one day be called to judgment, now is the time to prepare for that day by following the preaching of John the Baptist.