Second Sunday in Advent - B - December 6, 2015

The Focus of History

The Baptist preached in turbulent times. His message stood in contrast to the common wisdom of the age and the given political landscape at the time. Rome was not the greatest manifestation of divine power; implicitly, Caesar was not the king of kings. No, God's Kingdom trumped the Empire and the coming Messiah stood above all. John appeared to proclaim the Kingdom and its ruler.

FIRST READING The book of Baruch emphasized justice in a revitalized Jerusalem, a place filled with God's mercy and justice.

PSALM Psalm 126 was a "good day" song, a celebration that God does bless us with times of joy.

SECOND READING In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul thanked God for the congregation as his co-workers in the task of evangelization.

GOSPEL In Luke 3, John the Baptist appeared as a contrary sign: a town crier in the wilderness. Logically, no one would hear the words of someone who proclaimed news to rolling hills of sand and desert bush, but the people came to hear his message of the coming Kingdom.

CHILDREN'S READINGS In the story for the first reading, Johnny always wore his "Power Connection" hat to remind others the source of his power: God. In the story for the gospel, Malorie woke in the middle of the night, troubled by anger. After twenty minutes of writing, she saw the hurt she felt through the eyes of others. That insight and what she did afterwards brought her joy. She changed in the way that would please John the Baptist.

CATECHISM LINK In this week's Catechism Link, we discuss the person of John the Baptist.

FAMILY ACTIVITY Visit your church with family members this week for a time of introspection. Stress the need to change, just like John preached.