< <  

Sunday, December 4, 2005

  > >

Second Sunday of Advent


Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
2 Peter 3:8-14
Psalm 85
Mark 1:1-8

View Readings
Similar Reflections

are you committed to repentance?

"John the Baptizer appeared in the desert, proclaiming a baptism of repentance which led to the forgiveness of sins." —Mark 1:4

During Advent, we "prepare the way of the Lord" (Is 40:3) as we await His Christmas coming. Today, the Church proclaims that a major way to prepare is to repent.

John the Baptizer could never be accused of dabbling in repentance. Anyone watching John live day after day in a hot, arid desert, wearing camel-hair shirts and eating grasshoppers (Mk 1:6), would conclude that John was committed to repentance.

Anyone watching Jesus stretch out His hands to be nailed to the cross and then hang in crucified, excruciating agony would have to conclude that Jesus was committed to the forgiveness of sins. Look at a crucifix for a minute, and you can't come to any other conclusion but that Jesus was serious when He called us to repent and reform our lives (Mk 1:15).

Do we merely dabble in repentance, or is repentance a commitment we will make? Will our Advent Confession reflect a commitment to "make every effort to be found without stain or defilement" in utter holiness? (2 Pt 3:14) Or will we put no more effort into repentance than we would put into buying Uncle Tim's Christmas present?

Jesus wants "all to come to repentance" (2 Pt 3:9). "Commit to the Lord your way" (Ps 37:5).

Prayer:  Father, may I do no more preparations for this Christmas until I have made an Advent Confession.

Promise:  "Near indeed is His salvation to those who fear Him, glory dwelling in our land." —Ps 85:10

Praise:  "O come, O come, Emmanuel! And ransom captive Israel!" Come, Jesus, Prince of Peace!

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 19, 2005

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.