Fwd by Trần Kim Thục
Meditation: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; 64:1, 3b-8; Psalm 84; 2Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8
The readings today focus on the role of John the Baptist in preparing a way for the Lord’s coming through conversion.
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah looked forward to the return of the exiled Israelites from Babylon by means of a road across the desert which the Lord would construct for that purpose. The first part of the text speaks about the sorrow and distress of the people who had been punished for their many sins against God. This sorrow was their purification and now the Lord was coming to redeem them, to bring them out of captivity, to grant them peace, to restore his friendship with them. The people were to be comforted and shouts of joy were to go up across the countryside. The Psalm looks forward to the peace and justice that God will establish when his Kingdom comes: ‘Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help’.
In anticipation of Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time, the second reading from St Peter says that we should be found ‘at peace’ with God and with our neighbour when he comes. The exact time of arrival is unknown because God measures time differently to us, but come he certainly will and, when he does, he will change the world as we know it. It is key, therefore, to be ready for that moment of arrival by living ‘without spot or stain’.
In the gospel we are introduced to John the Baptist who is seen as the fulfilment of the text from the prophet Isaiah. At the same time, he is very closely linked with the Old Testament prophet Elijah through the description of what he wears and how he acts. Many people came to hear John and to be baptised by him in order to have their sins washed away. But John was clear in his teaching that he was not the most important one who was to come – that person had yet to arrive and, when he arrived, even John would not be worthy enough to untie his sandals. The gospel invites us to prepare for our celebration of the Lord’s Incarnation by opening our hearts to the Gospel message of conversion.
“Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of the Holy Spirit! Lord, help me grow my faith.”
Fwd by Trần Kim Thục
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