Friday, December 08, 2017

1Reflection for Sunday, December 10, Second Sunday of Advent; Mark 1:1-8

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
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Reflection:
A humble man with a benevolent heart went on a mission to a place where no Christian missionary has been through. There he catechized the people, then he built a church and when the church was through. This good man went to the parish church and he inquired to the parish priest if he could visit and celebrate Mass even for once a month in the far flung community.  The priest agreed and everyone was converted to the faith. Thus, in his own little way the humble man prepared the way for the coming of the Lord for the people of the community.

On this second Sunday of Advent we reflect on how John the Baptist fulfilled with humility the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah. He preached repentance and forgiveness of sins; he prepared the way for Jesus with humility when he said: “One mightier than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” John perfectly knew that his role was to be a herald for the coming of our savior Jesus.

As Christians, this is also our role; to be messengers for Jesus with humility. To help spread the good news. To preach about repentance, forgiveness and love which Jesus so generously gave us.

We should not keep to ourselves this beautiful call for repentance we must echo this call to our friends and most specially our family members. However, this is easier said than done, for the simple reason that it’s not easy to encourage them to humbly submit themselves to the Sacrament of Confession. But if we would be like John who embraced his discipleship with humility I think we would be effective heralds of Jesus.

On this second Sunday of Advent we are therefore being challenged by the gospel to help prepare the way of the Lord and to respond to John’s call for repentance.

Have you done something to prepare the way and are you prepared to respond? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

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