Daily Readings - Sun Dec 06 2020

¹Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.²Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.³A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.⁴Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.⁵And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."⁹You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!"¹⁰See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.¹¹He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

2 Peter

Chapter 3

⁸But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.¹¹Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives¹²as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.¹³But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.¹⁴So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

Mark

Chapter 1

¹The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.²It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"--³"a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"⁴And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.⁵The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.⁶John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.⁷And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.⁸I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on preparation, patience, and the call to live with purpose. In Isaiah, we hear a message of comfort and hope, urging us to prepare the way for the Lord, where every valley is lifted and every mountain lowered, symbolizing a world made level for God’s glory. In 2 Peter, we are reminded of God’s patience and the promise of a new heavens and earth, encouraging us to live holy and blameless lives as we await His day. The Gospel introduces John the Baptist, who, in humility, prepares the way for Jesus, baptizing with water and heralding the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. These readings are interconnected through the theme of preparation and waiting. Isaiah’s call to prepare the way is fulfilled in John the Baptist’s ministry, while 2 Peter’s emphasis on holy living underscores the ongoing nature of our preparation. Just as John prepared the people for Jesus’ arrival, we too are called to prepare our hearts and lives for God’s presence, trusting in His timing and promises. In our daily lives, this means embracing humility and repentance, much like John’s example. We are to live with patience and holiness, recognizing that our time is not God’s time. As we navigate life’s challenges, let us remember to stay grounded in faith, preparing our hearts for the Lord’s work within us. The moral lesson here is clear: our lives should be a testament to God’s presence, lived with purpose and trust in His plan. Let us, like John, humbly prepare the way for the Lord in our hearts and in the world around us.