Date: December 6, 2009
First Reading (Baruch 5: 1–9)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Baruch.
Jerusalem, put off your garment of mourning and unhappiness, put on the splendor and glory of God forever. Wrap yourself in the mantle of holiness that comes from God, put on your head the crown of glory of the Eternal One. For God will show your splendor to every being under Heaven. He will call your name forever, "Peace in Justice" and "Glory in the Fear of the Lord." Rise up, Jerusalem, stand on the heights. Look towards the East and see your children gathered together from the setting of the sun to its rising, by the voice of the Holy One, rejoicing because God has remembered them. They left you on foot, taken away by the enemy. God will lead them back, carried gloriously like royal princes. For God has resolved to bring low every high mountain and the everlasting hills, to fill up the valleys and level out the ground, in order that Israel may walk in safety under the Glory of God. Even the forests and the fragrant trees will give shade to Israel at God's command. For God will lead Israel with joy by the light of his Glory, escorting them with his mercy and justice.
Second Reading (Philippians 1: 4–6 and 8–11)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians.
We, Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ pray for God, and we pray with joy. I cannot forget you shared with me in the service of the Gospel, from the first day until now. Since God began such a good work in you, I am certain that he will complete it in the day of Christ Jesus. God knows that I love you dearly with the love of Jesus Christ, and in my prayers I ask that your love may lead you each day to a deeper knowledge and clearer discernment, that you may have good criteria for everything. So you may be pure of heart and come blameless to the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of holiness which comes through Christ Jesus, for the glory and praise of God.
Gospel (Luke 3: 1–6)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
It was the fifteenth year of the rule of the Emperor Tiberious; Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod ruled over Galilee, his brother Philip ruled over the country of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruled over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the High Priests at that time when the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah in the desert. John proclaimed a baptism for repentant people to acquire forgiveness of sins and he went through the whole country bordering the Jordan Rover. It was just as is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: listen to this voice crying out in the desert: prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight. The valleys will be filled and the mountains and hills made low. Everything crooked will be made straight and the rough paths smooth; and every mortal will see the salvation of God.
First Reading (Baruch 5: 1–9)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Baruch.
Jerusalem, put off your garment of mourning and unhappiness, put on the splendor and glory of God forever. Wrap yourself in the mantle of holiness that comes from God, put on your head the crown of glory of the Eternal One. For God will show your splendor to every being under Heaven. He will call your name forever, "Peace in Justice" and "Glory in the Fear of the Lord." Rise up, Jerusalem, stand on the heights. Look towards the East and see your children gathered together from the setting of the sun to its rising, by the voice of the Holy One, rejoicing because God has remembered them. They left you on foot, taken away by the enemy. God will lead them back, carried gloriously like royal princes. For God has resolved to bring low every high mountain and the everlasting hills, to fill up the valleys and level out the ground, in order that Israel may walk in safety under the Glory of God. Even the forests and the fragrant trees will give shade to Israel at God's command. For God will lead Israel with joy by the light of his Glory, escorting them with his mercy and justice.
Second Reading (Philippians 1: 4–6 and 8–11)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians.
We, Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ pray for God, and we pray with joy. I cannot forget you shared with me in the service of the Gospel, from the first day until now. Since God began such a good work in you, I am certain that he will complete it in the day of Christ Jesus. God knows that I love you dearly with the love of Jesus Christ, and in my prayers I ask that your love may lead you each day to a deeper knowledge and clearer discernment, that you may have good criteria for everything. So you may be pure of heart and come blameless to the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of holiness which comes through Christ Jesus, for the glory and praise of God.
Gospel (Luke 3: 1–6)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
It was the fifteenth year of the rule of the Emperor Tiberious; Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod ruled over Galilee, his brother Philip ruled over the country of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruled over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the High Priests at that time when the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah in the desert. John proclaimed a baptism for repentant people to acquire forgiveness of sins and he went through the whole country bordering the Jordan Rover. It was just as is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: listen to this voice crying out in the desert: prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight. The valleys will be filled and the mountains and hills made low. Everything crooked will be made straight and the rough paths smooth; and every mortal will see the salvation of God.
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 126) (Verses 1-6)
ReplyDeleteThe response is: The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
When the Lord brought the exiles back to Zion, we were like those moving in a dream. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues with songs of joy.
Among the nations it was said, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord had done great things for us, and we were glad indeed.
Bring back our exiles, O Lord, like fresh streams in the desert. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs and shouts of joy.
They went forth weeping, bearing the seeds for sowing, they will come home with joyful shouts, bringing their harvested sheaves.
The theme for the 2nd Sunday of Advent is to prepare the way of the Lord.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah stated in Chapter 40: Verse 3: "A voice cries, in the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God."
Priest: Father, as we journey down this Advent road, we relight the candle of hope, and we light a candle of peace. Grant us the courage to make peace: peace in our hearts, peace in our homes, and peace in our communities. (Amen)
The father of the chosen family lights the two purple candles of the Advent Wreath. During that time, the choir will sing "Change My Heart Oh God".
This is a prayer led by the father or a male member of the family:
Dear God, when we are too weak to stand for what is right, when we behave irresponsibly, when we allow vices to control us and when we put our trust in persons, beliefs and rituals that are not from you - rescue us, Lord. (Amen)
This is a prayer led by the mother or a female member of the family:
O God, deliver us from relying on false gods and wrong beliefs. From our pride and stubborn hearts and from our anger and resentments, humble our hearts and make us turn to you so that we may receive new life.
This is a prayer led by one of the children:
Dear Lord, when we do not realize the urgent need to repent and when we think only of ourselves and thus not care enough for others - come and enlighten us with your Spirit.
Priest: O find us, O great and loving Savior. Rescue us from personal choices that keep us away from Your grace. Grant us Your wisdom that we may discern wrong from right. Train us to always recognize Your voice when You speak in our hearts. (Amen)
In the season of Advent, the Gloria is omitted.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSorry, that is the wrong Psalm. The genuine Psalm for your birthday is Psalm 139.
ReplyDeleteRefrain
ReplyDeleteChange my heart, oh God, make it ever true. Change my heart, oh God, may I be like you.
Verse
You are the potter, I am the clay. Knead me and mold me, that is what I pray. (go to Refrain)