SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT A Lectionary #4
The readings present contrasting images of the One-who-is-to-come, and they offer us John the Baptizer as one traditional Advent model of response to the coming of Christ. (The other model, Mary of Bethlehem, is presented, along with Joseph, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent.)
Isaiah 11:1-10. Isaiah's dream of a messianic age focuses on a descendant of David's line who will be an ideal king, filled with the “spirit of the Lord,” who will create Jerusalem as a holy mountain on which “there shall be no harm or ruin.” Compare this image with the angry image John proclaims in the Gospel.
Psalm of the Day: Ps (71) 72
A royal psalm that offers prayers for the royal family, echoing the hope (first reading) for a king who will be a “real” king, one who judges justly and with mercy. Christian theology applied such royal imagery to Jesus.
In His Days Justice Will Flourish (Joncas), ref 2 GC 46/RS 102
Justice Shall Flourish in His Time (Cooney) JS 57/GP 220/MI‑BB
Justice Shall Flourish in His Time (Guimont) GC 943/RS 101/LPMG 4/SS 396
Justice Shall Flourish in His Time (Marchionda) PRM A2/PMB 557/WS 47
Justice Shall Flourish in His Time (Schiavone) LP 11/JS 881
Justice Shall Flourish in His Time (Schiavone/Gelineau) WOR 769/LPGG 769
Justice Will Flourish in His Time (Armstrong/Somerville) CBW 20
Justice Will Flourish in His Time (Dohms) PMB 154
Que en Sus Días/Justice Shall Floruish (Schiavone) SS
Se Postrarán ante Ti: Respuesta II (Cortez) FYC 219
Romans 15:4-9. Paul offers a standard Christian interpretation of the Hebrew Bible: It was “written for our instruction,” and from it we are to develop reasons for hope, patience, and encouragement. He is especially concerned that Christians will imitate Christ and have patience with each other because that is the only way they will “think in harmony with one another.”
Matthew 3:1-12. After John was arrested, Jesus preached John's message of reform, though he modified it to fit his vision. Here is John's simple message: Reform; the reign of God is at hand. John preached an angry, judgmental message in order to encourage the reform at the heart of his proclamation. Notice the image of the one-who-is-to come, who will baptize with fire, winnow the wheat from the chaff, and clear the threshing floor. Once again (see previous Sunday), there is a contrast between the peaceful messianic age (first reading) and the judgmental Day of the Lord.
Songs for the Liturgy
A Season of Light (1,Ps) WC 450/WS 345
*A Voice Cries Out (G) BB/JS 313/RS 485/GC 343/GP 294
*Advent Antiphon (G) CBW 301
Advent Gathering Song (1) GC 338/SS
Behold a Virgin Bearing Him (G) PMB 203/WC 465/WS 364
Christ Is Coming: Prepare the Way (G) LMGM 10
Clear the Voice (G) JS 317
Come, Emmanuel (1) PMB 192/WC 459/WS 340
Come, Light of the World (1) WC 443/WS 338
Come, Lord Jesus (1,Ps) BB
Come to Set Us Free (1,2) GC 338/GP 298
Comfort, Comfort, O My People (1,G) WOR 370/BB/GC 331/WC 457/JS 327/RS 488/SS
Comfort My People (1,G) BB
Every Valley (G) JS 326/GP 297/CBW 308/BB
Find Us Ready (G) GC 342
For the Coming of the Savior (1) SS
*Hail to the Lord's Anointed (Ps) PMB 225/WC 495/SS
*Hark! A Herald Voice Is Calling (G) SS
*Let the Valleys Be Raised (G) GP 310/BB
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (1) WOR 374/BB/LMGM 24/GC 373/PMB 210/WC 476/JS 338/GP 320/WS 352/SS
Maranatha (1) BB/GP 295/SS/GC 324, 335
Now Is the Time Approaching (1,Ps) WC 455
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (1) WOR 357/CBW 312/BB/GP 293/LMGM 3/GC 317/WC 446/JS 311/RS 493/PMB 184/WS 346/SS
*O Day of Peace (1) WOR 654/PMB 460/JS 740
O, How I Long to See (1) JS 673/GP 306
*On Jordan's Bank (G) WOR 356/CBW 351/LMGM 8/BB/GC 344/PMB 190/WC 451/JS 315/RS 490/GP 296/WS 349/SS
People, Look East (1,G) WOR 359/BB/GC 337/WC 462/JS 329/RS 482/GP 300/PMB 188/WS 351/SS
*Prepare the Way of the Lord (G) WOR 369/LMGM 2/GC 330/CBW 317/RS 491
Priestly People, v 5 (G) PMB 383/WC 735/WS 529
Proclaim the Joyful Message (1) PMB 197/WC 460/WS 353
*Ready the Way (G) JS 323/BB
Walk in the Reign (1) GC 325
Warm the Time of Winter (1,2) GC 339
*Wild and Lone the Prophet=s Voice (G) HG 18