God Will Lead Israel With Joy
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C)
?Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6 (R.v.3); Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6
?”GOD WILL LEAD ISRAEL WITH JOY… WITH THE MERCY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT COME FROM HIM” (Bar 5:9)
Have you heard? It is all about the extraordinary year of mercy which Pope Francis declared would be observed in the Church from December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, to November 20. It is going to be a holy year of mercy in which we shall be invited to reflect deeply on the ever merciful nature of God and how we can gain from it in fullness. I encourage you to find out to read the Papal Bull, http://m.vatican.va/content/francescomobile/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco_bolla_20150411_misericordiae-vultus.html for this celebration in order not to be left out in the spiritual benefits of the year.?
Providentially, as we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent today, the three readings we have for today’s liturgy invites us to anticipate this mercy and prepare ourselves to receive it. In the First Reading, the prophet Baruch, who was, historically, the Secretary of the prophet Jeremiah, encouraged the exiled Jews who suffering in foreign lands that God is going to restore their joy and visit them with mercy and righteousness (cf. Bar 5:9).?
Today, I pray that God may also restore your joy and visit you and your household with his mercy, righteousness and peace through Christ our Lord. Amen.?
St. Paul reminds us, in the Second Reading, that to share from the benefits of that coming of God in glory, we need to prepare our hearts to receive him. He encourages us to dwell more in love so that we “may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness” (Phil 1:9-11). Read 1 Cor 13 to get in fuller details the characteristics of love.❤
Note that this call is not meant for only a secluded set of people. The Gospel points to the universality of that invitation. It ended with the assurance, “All flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6). Your own case shall not be different! You shall also experience the mercy and salvation of God in your life through Christ our Lord. Amen.?
Then, rise up and join John the Baptist to declare this message of mercy abroad. Invite all your friends to participate in this year of mercy irrespective of what religion or denomination they belong to. The mercy of God is universal; nobody should be left out.????????????????
May that mercy of God lead you to fruitfulness, joy and peace all the days of your life, and into eternal life in the end. Amen.?
Happy Sunday enriched in God’s merciful love. It is well with you.??
