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Created: 06 December 2020

Second Sunday of Advent – Year B

Studying the four Gospels, we notice that St. Mark was the only Evangelist who began his writing with these words “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” (Mk 1:1) He then introduced to his readers John the Baptist who was sent to prepare the people of his day for Jesus’ public ministry. The message from John is also needed for each of us as we are going into the Second Week of the Advent Season.

“John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mk 1:4)

He knew that before the hearts of his listeners would be ready to receive the Good News of their salvation, they needed to humbly repent of sins, and get rid of pride.

John’s message was received by the people.

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. (Mark 1:5)

Truly, all generations need to heed the message from John, especially us who are living in this challenging world. We have been deceived by the promise that this earthly life can offer us everything.

The reality is that this world cannot give us anything. Things that the world can give us are chaos, suffering, or hatred. Indeed, only in and with Jesus we can have everything. We know that our Lord always keeps His promises. The promises of peace, love, salvation and eternal life first preached by Jesus to the people of the Judean countryside and the inhabitants of Jerusalem have remained for all generations of Christ’s followers.

If only then with open-heart and open-mind we heed the call of John the Baptist to repent, to come out of our darkness and walk into God’s Light, and to live fully His teachings in word and action, we are giving ourselves as well as God a chance to bring God’s promises to fulfillment. May the message of this second Sunday of Advent - Repent in order to receive forgiveness - stir us up and lead us into repentance.

Fr. Phi Nguyen