Second Sunday of Advent – 2023

Written on: December 5, 2023

“Your Journey Toward Renewal”

Written by Sister Patricia Geary, GNSH

First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-14
Psalm: 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

The Gospel for the second Sunday in Advent (Mk1:1-8) reminds us of John the Baptist’s role in inviting the people of his time to make the two-or three-day walk to be baptized at a specific point in the Jordan River. How do we usually picture this scene?  The throng listened to John preach. Then, one by one they probably confessed their sins. These actions were followed by each one’s immersion in the river.

We may wonder why John didn’t choose to travel from village to village “proclaiming a baptism of repentance” (Mk 1:4). He just didn’t. People had to make the effort to come to him in this deserted place in the wilderness (opposite the city of Jericho.)

People had to leave their customary surroundings, because profound change often requires movement away from the familiar. In their journey, the travelers began to find the courage and strength to set their lives anew.

John the Baptist believed that if the people discarded their past notions, repented, and allowed God’s forgiveness to wash over them, then, at some future time, they would indeed be “baptized by the Holy Spirit”(Mk 1:8).

Reflection Questions:

How will you search for repentance and renewal as you ‘travel’ during this holy season?
How will you respond to the graces offered during Advent?

Links to the 2023 Advent Series

First Sunday of Advent: Reflection by Sister Dolores O’Dowd, GNSH
Second Sunday of Advent: Reflection by Sister Patricia Geary, GNSH
Third Sunday of Advent: Reflection by Sister Dolores Beatty, GNSH
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Reflection from our President, Sister Denise Roche, GNSH

This entry was posted in From our Sisters and tagged: 2 Peter 3:8-14, 9-11, Advent reflection, Isaiah 40:1-5, John the Baptist, Mark 1: 1-8, Mark 1:4, renewal, repentance, Second Sunday of Advent 2023, Sister Patricia Geary