Every year in the Lectionary used in Catholic churches all over the world, the

gospel readings on the second and third Sundays of Advent have as their main focus
John the Baptist. On the 2nd Sunday of Advent, hearers of this gospel are urged to
seek ways to renew the spirit of their own baptism and to confess their sins. In
this way, they will be prepared to greet Jesus, not, as in the gospel when he came
from Nazareth to John for baptism, but in his birth in our own world at Christmas
time.

Last Sunday we lit the candle of Hope, remembering the hope which comes in Christ.
(Light 1st Purple Candle).
Today we light the second candle of Advent, the candle of Peace.
God has a peaceful dream for the world, and we dream it too. We dream of peaceful
world full of wolves and leopards and lions eating and sleeping and dancing with
lambs, kids, and calves. We dream of a peaceful world where nations come together,
where war is a memory, and we eat at one table.
We light this candle in Peace. (Light the 2nd Purple candle)
On this day, we remember the Lord of All who brings peace surpassing all
understanding.

Introduction to the First Reading: - Do not read this line

In todays First Reading Isaiah reminds us that we can help the Lord reach us or
hinder him, but he is coming one away or the other.

Introduction to the Second reading: - Do not read this line

In todays Second Reading St. Peter reminds us how we can make straight the way for
the Lord, and how the Lord makes the way straight for us.

COLLECT
Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in
haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance
to his company. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one
God, forever and ever.

FIRST READING
(Isaiah speaks tenderly to the Israelites who are taken captives by Babylon and
promises them that their suffering will come to an end).
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (40:1-5, 9-11)
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to
her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received
from the Lords hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: In the wilderness
prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every 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. And the glory of
the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of
the Lord has spoken.
Get you up to high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice
with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, fear not; say to
the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and
his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before
him. He will feed 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.
The Word of the Lord

PSALM (85)
Response: Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help.
I will hear what the Lord God has to say, a voice that speaks of peace, peace for
his people. His help is near for those who fear him and his glory will dwell in our
land. R/
Mercy and faithfulness have met; justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness
shall spring from the earth and justice look down from heaven. R/
The Lord will make us prosper and our earth shall yield its fruit. Justice shall
march before him and peace shall follow his steps. R/
SECOND READING
(Peter writes that God is not slow about his promises but Gods way of reckoning
time cannot be compared to ours. God wishes to save all and urges everyone to
repent).
A reading from the Second Letter of St Peter (3:8-14)
Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand
years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise as
some count slowness, but is forbearing towards you, not wishing that any should
perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come
like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the
elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it
will be burned up.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to
be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the
day of God, because of which the heavens will be kindled and dissolved, and the
elements will melt with fire! But according to his promise we wait for new heavens
and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved,

since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish,
and at peace.
The Word of the Lord
ACCLAMATION
Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, and all
mankind shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia! (Lk 3:4, 6)
GOSPEL
(John the Baptist is an austere man but powerful in speech and actions. In
accordance with the prophecy of Isaiah he prepares the people for the coming of the
Messiah).
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St 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 send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare
thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for
the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and
all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan,
confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camels hair, and had a leather
girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying,
After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not
worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize
you with the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel of the Lord
I believe in God,....
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Cel: John the Baptist prepared the people through his preaching of repentance and
conversion. As we are gradually moving towards the arrival of our Lord and Saviour,
let us prepare our minds and hearts to receive him. Let us now place our petitions
before the Lord, saying,
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
1. For the universal Church that the pope, the bishops, the clergy and the
religious may prepare the people to receive the Lord at Christmas in a worthy
manner, we pray R./
2. That this advent may become a special season of grace for us and that we may
use it for our own benefit through a sincere conversion of heart and mind, we pray
R./
3. That Christians may imbibe the virtues of simplicity and gentleness after the
manner of Jesus who lived a simple life and John the Baptist who lived an austere
life, we pray R./
4. For peace in the world that the coming of Christ who is the prince of peace
may contribute towards the cessation of hostilities that exist between peoples and
nations, we pray R./
5. For all of us present in this Eucharistic assembly that the birth of Christ
for which we prepare ourselves may bring peace and harmony to our families and the
parish community, we pray R./
(Pray for community and personal needs)
Cel: God our Father, we thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus who through his
word and example brought life to the world. Give us the grace that through the
faithful observance of advent we may prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ, We
make this prayer
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
Be pleased, O Lord, with our humble prayers and offerings, and, since wehave no
merits to plead our cause, come, we pray, to our rescue with the protection of your
mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
PREFACE I (Advent)
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to
give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our
Lord.
For he assumed at his first coming the lowliness of human flesh, and so fulfilled
the design you formed long ago, and opened for us the way to eternal salvation,
that, when he comes again in glory and majesty and all is at last made manifest, we
who watch for that day may inherit the great promise in which now we dare to hope.
And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the
hosts and powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory, as without end we
acclaim:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts...
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Jerusalem, arise and stand upon the heights, and behold the joy which comes to you
from God.
(Bar 5:5; 4:36)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Replenished by the good of spiritual nourishment, we humbly beseech you, O Lord,
that, through our partaking in this mystery, you may teach us to judge wisely the
things of earth and hold firm to the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.