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.

We seek the mercy of God. truly, our God is full of compassion and mercy.

 

 

＊＊＊ 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 good news to 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 Yahweh Sabaoth 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 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 to 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 ：

"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"

 Read: Isaiah prophesies to the people of Israel that God will send a messenger who will announce their return from exile. God will gently lead his people home. The Second Letter of Peter reminds us that God does not work on our schedule. The day of the Lord will come when God wishes. We have only to prepare in hope and peace. John the Baptist makes his appearance in the Gospel, calling the people to repent of their sins to be ready for the one who is to come.

 

Reflect: Being a messenger can be a difficult task. It's easy to share good news and tell people what they want to hear. But being the bearer of bad tidings is far less pleasant. It can even be dangerous. In some ancient societies, messengers who brought bad news were killed! Still, we are called to follow the example of John the Baptist, preparing the way of the Lord by calling people to conversion through a personal encounter with Jesus. Even more, we need to show the way by forgiving others, repenting of our sins and living a simple life. 

 

Pray: Lord, come quickly. Do not delay!

 

Act: Offer comfort and assistance to someone facing difficulties.