Today marks the end of the first part of our Advent journey. Every year on December 17th, we turn our attention to the proximate preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus. Consequently, the readings that we proclaim today are important in that they bring our consideration of the second coming of Jesus to a close. Many of the gospel readings we hear during the season of Advent...

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the Jewish people toward the end of the Babylonian exile. They have been in captivity and separated from their homeland for more than 70 years. Though they have every reason to despair, Isaiah urges them to keep their faith in God and to follow God’s commandments. It is a request that the crowds around Jesus have failed to...

In the Scripture text from the prophet Isaiah, we hear some of the most beautiful promises that God makes to the people, and which speak to some of the deepest longings of humanity. The Lord God grasps us by the hand, telling us to “fear not.” Then God makes seven “I will” statements and one “I will not” statement. I will help… I will make… I...

The second Sunday of Advent is always about John the Baptist. Each of the four Gospels introduce John the Baptist in the very first chapter. John is the bridge between the old and the new covenant and between the Hebrew and the Christian Scriptures. He appears on the scene in the desert, baptizing people in the Jordan River. To us this might sound like an interesting side fact, but to the Jews...

Each time we read the Scriptures, we come a way having been instructed, loved, and sent. This movement is duplicated in the Eucharist itself as we hear the Gospel proclaimed, experience the love of God in our communion, and are sent in peace to our brothers and sisters. This theme echoes in all three of the Scriptures that we proclaim today. The prophet Isaiah speaks of God as “The...