Daily Readings - Sun Dec 10 2023
Isaiah
1Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.3A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.4Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.5And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."9Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!"10Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.11He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
2 Peter
8But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.9The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.11Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,12waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!13But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.14Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
Mark
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.2As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way,3the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'"4John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.5And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.6Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.7And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.8I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of preparation, patience, and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. The first reading from Isaiah speaks of comfort and hope for Jerusalem, urging the people to prepare for the coming of the Lord. The prophet describes a God who is both powerful and tender, promising to gather his flock like a shepherd and carry the weak in his bosom. This passage reminds us that even in times of uncertainty, God’s plan is unfolding, and we are called to trust in his timing and providence.
The second reading from 2 Peter emphasizes the patience of God as he waits for all people to turn to him. The apostle reminds us that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, and with it, the old heavens and earth will pass away. Yet, rather than fear, this should inspire us to live holy and blameless lives, eagerly awaiting the new heavens and the new earth where justice dwells. This passage challenges us to examine our own lives and to strive for holiness as we await the fulfillment of God’s promises.
In the Gospel, Mark introduces John the Baptist, who calls the people to repentance and baptism in preparation for the coming of Jesus. John’s message is one of humility and recognition of his own limitations, pointing to the one who is greater than himself. This passage invites us to reflect on our own need for repentance and our readiness to welcome Christ into our lives. Just as the people of Judea went out to the desert to be baptized, we too are called to create space in our hearts for the Lord to come and dwell among us.
These readings remind us that our faith is not static but dynamic. We are called to prepare, to wait, and to live with hope and expectation. In our daily lives, this means being open to conversion, trusting in God’s timing, and striving to live in a way that reflects the justice and love of the kingdom we await. Let us embrace the call to holiness, knowing that the Lord is always near, and his promises are always fulfilled in his own perfect time.