Bible Diary for December 4th – 10th

December 4
Sunday

2nd Sunday of Advent

St. John of Damascus

1st Reading: Is 40:1–5, 9–11
“Be comforted, my people, be strengthened,” says your God.

“Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, proclaim to her that her time of bondage is at an end, that her guilt has been paid for, that from the hand of Yahweh she has received double punishment for all her iniquity.”

A voice cries, “In the wilderness prepare the way for Yahweh. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley will be raised up; every mountain and hill will be laid low. The stumbling blocks shall become level and the rugged places smooth.

The glory of Yahweh will be revealed, and all mortals together will see it; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.” Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of Zion, lift up your voice with strength, fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem and announce to the cities of Judah:

“Here is your God!” Here comes your God with might; his strong arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and here before him is his booty. Like a shepherd he tends his flock: he gathers the lambs in his arms, he carries them in his bosom, gently leading those that are with young.”

Ps 85:9–10, 11–12, 13–14
Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

2nd Reading: 2 P 3:8–14
Do not forget, brothers and sisters, that with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. The Lord does not delay in fulfilling his promise, though some speak of delay; rather he gives you time because he does not want anyone to perish, but that all may come to conversion. The Day of the Lord is to come like a thief. Then the heavens will dissolve with a great noise; the elements will melt away by fire, and the earth with all that is on it will be burned up.

Since all things are to vanish, how holy and religious your way of life must be, as you wait for the Day of God and long for its coming, when the heavens will dissolve in fire and the elements melt away in the heat. We wait for a new heaven and a new earth in which justice reigns, according to God’s promise.

Therefore, beloved, as you wait in expectation of this, strive that God may find you rooted in peace, without blemish or fault.

Gospel: Mk 1:1–8
This is the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of Isaiah, the prophet, “I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare your way. Let the people hear the voice calling in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, level his paths.”

So John began to baptize in the desert; he preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judea and all the people from the city of Jerusalem went out to John to confess their sins and be baptized by him in the river Jordan.

John was clothed in camel’s hair and wore a leather garment around his waist. His food was locusts and honey. He preached to the people saying, “After me comes one who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”

REFLECTION
Beloved, as you wait in expectation of this, strive that God may find you rooted in peace, without blemish or fault. Relax! What’s the rush? This season we oftentimes forget that it is the Lord who gives us gifts – peace, comfort and strength! We have to learn how to receive God’s gifts graciously. Let us take time to be still and silent during these days so we can be ready to receive the greatest gift of all.

December 5
Monday

2nd Week of Advent

1st Reading: Is 35:1–10
Let the wilderness and the arid land rejoice, the desert be glad and blossom. Covered with flowers, it sings and shouts with joy, adorned with the splendor of Lebanon, the magnificence of Carmel and Sharon.

They, my people, see the glory of Yahweh, the majesty of our God. Give vigor to weary hands and strength to enfeebled knees.

Say to those who are afraid: “Have courage, do not fear. See, your God comes, demanding justice. He is the God who rewards, the God who comes to save you.”

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unsealed. Then will the lame leap as a hart and the tongue of the dumb sing and shout.

For water will break out in the wilderness and streams gush forth from the desert. The thirsty ground will become a pool, the arid land springs of water.

In the haunts where once reptiles lay, grass will grow with reeds and rushes. There will be a highway which will be called The Way of Holiness; no one unclean will pass over it nor any wicked fool stray there.

No lion will be found there nor any beast of prey. Only the redeemed will walk there. For the ransomed of Yahweh will return: with everlasting joy upon their heads, they will come to Zion singing, gladness and joy marching with them, while sorrow and sighing flee away.

Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11–12, 13–14
Our God will come to save us!

Gospel: Lk 5:17–26
One day Jesus was teaching and many Pharisees and teachers of the Law had come from every part of Galilee and Judea and even from Jerusalem. They were sitting there while the power of the Lord was at work to heal the sick. Then some men brought a paralyzed man who lay on his mat. They tried to enter the house to place him before Jesus, but they couldn’t find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof and, removing the tiles, they lowered him on his mat into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven.” At once the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to wonder, “This man insults God! Who can forgive sins but only God?

But Jesus knew their thoughts and asked them, “Why are you reacting like this? Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or: ‘Get up and walk’? Now you shall know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” And Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” At once the man stood before them. He took up the mat he had been lying on and went home praising God.

Amazement seized the people and they praised God. They were filled with a holy fear and said, “What wonderful things we have seen today!”

REFLECTION
This week, the readings take us to count the ways how the Lord has come to save us. Today, Jesus speaks about forgiveness. Salvation comes in the form of making us whole again from the root that breaks us—sin. By restoring the paralytic man, Jesus shows us how forgiveness and healing are the way of saving us from the power of sin.

December 6
Tuesday

2nd Week of Advent

1st Reading: Is 40:1–11
Be comforted, my people, be strengthened, says your God. Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, proclaim to her that her time of bondage is at an end, that her guilt has been paid for, that from the hand of Yahweh she has received double punishment for all her iniquity.

A voice cries, “In the wilderness prepare the way for Yahweh. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley will be raised up; every mountain and hill will be laid low.

The stumbling blocks shall become level and the rugged places smooth. The glory of Yahweh will be revealed, and all mortals together will see it; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”

A voice says, “Cry.” and I say, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is grass, and all its beauty as the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of Yahweh blows upon it. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will forever stand.” Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of Zion, lift up your voice with strength, fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem and announce to the cities of Judah:

Here is your God! Here comes your God with might; his strong arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and here before him is his booty. Like a shepherd he tends his flock: he gathers the lambs in his arms, he carries them in his bosom, gently leading those that are with young.

Ps 96:1–2, 3 and 10ac, 11–12, 13
The Lord our God comes with power.

Gospel: Mt 18:12–14
Jesus said to his disciples, “What do you think of this? If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one? And I tell you: when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it than about the ninety-nine that did not get lost. It is the same with your Father in heaven: there they don’t want even one of these little ones to be lost.”

REFLECTION
Today our Savior reveals himself to us as a good and compassionate shepherd who goes out of his way to find the lost sheep. It is the Lord who seeks to save us. The good shepherd is a powerful image of gentleness and compassion that we have to contemplate and be convinced with.

December 7
Wednesday

2nd Week of Advent

St. Ambrose

1st Reading: Is 40:25–31
To whom, then, will you liken me or make me equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and see: who has created all this?

He has ordered them as a starry host and called them each by name. So mighty is his power, so great his strength, that not one of them is missing. How can you say, O Jacob, how can you complain, O Israel, that your destiny is hidden from me, that your rights are ignored by Yahweh?

Have you not known, have you not heard that Yahweh is an everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth? He does not grow tired or weary, his knowledge is without limit.

He gives strength to the enfeebled, he gives vigor to the wearied. Youth may grow tired and faint, young men will stumble and fall, but those who hope in Yahweh will renew their strength.

They will soar as with eagle’s wings; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and never tire.

Ps 103:1–2, 3–4, 8 and 10
O bless the Lord, my soul!

Gospel: Mt 11:28–30
Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is good and my burden is light.”

REFLECTION
Today our Savior shows us how kind and gentle He is that he asks us to take rest and shelter in him. He knows that our journey will be tough and rough but he not only walks with us, he gives us comfort and shares the load. So we know that we are not alone. We are the recipient of God’s compassion that He cares even for our physical needs.

December 8
Thursday

2nd Week of Advent

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1st Reading: Gen 3:9–15, 20
Yahweh God called the man saying to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree I ordered you not to eat?” The man answered, “The woman you put with me gave me fruit from the tree and I ate it.” God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me and I ate.”

Yahweh God said to the serpent, “Since you have done that, you will eat dust all the days of your life. I will make you enemies, you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head and you will strike his heel.”

The man called his wife by the name of Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.

Ps 98:1, 2–3ab, 3cd–4
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

2nd Reading: Eph 1:3–6, 11–12
Blessed be God, the Father of Christ Jesus our Lord, who in Christ has blessed us from heaven with every spiritual blessing.

God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and without sin in his presence. From eternity he destined us in love thus fulfilling his free and generous will.

This goal suited him: that his loving-kindness which he granted us in his Beloved might finally receive all glory and praise. We were awaiting the Messiah, for the praise of his glory.

Gospel: Lk 1:26–38
The angel Gabriel came to Mary and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.

But the angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever and his reign shall have no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be if I am a virgin?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible.”

Then Mary said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.

REFLECTION
God fills the mother of His Son with His Spirit. Just as He has given his Son the fullness of every spiritual blessing, so does he grant the fullness of grace to Mary. This is hope for us, the pride of humanity, has been filled with blessing so we can also receive the fullness of salvation. Let us find inspiration in our blessed mother to be a faithful follower of Her Son.

December 9
Friday

2nd Week of Advent

St. Juan Diego

1st Reading: Is 48:17–19
Thus says Yahweh, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, Yahweh, your God, teach you what is best for you; I lead you in the way that you must go.

Had you paid attention to my commandments, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Your descendants would have been like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, their names never cut off nor blotted out from my presence.

Ps 1:1–2, 3, 4 and 6
Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Gospel: Mt 11:16–19
Jesus said to the crowds, “Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, about whom their companions complain: ‘We played the flute for you but you would not dance. We sang a funeral song but you would not cry!’

“For John came fasting and people said: ‘He is possessed.’ Then the Son of Man came, he ate and drank, and people said: ‘Look at this man! A glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet the outcome will prove Wisdom to be right.”

REFLECTION
The fullness of life that the Lord has given us is real and has to be felt in our own lives. The grace comes with it the passion and exuberance for life. If our life does not exude this light, then we are not living in the light. Let us claim this gift and live it. There is so much light and joy in the good news that there is no other way to live but with passion.

December 10
Saturday

2nd Week of Advent

1st Reading: Sir 48:1–4, 9–11
Then came the prophet Elijah like a fire, his words a burning torch.

He brought a famine on the people and in his zealous love had them reduced in number.

Speaking in the name of the Lord he closed the heavens, and on three occasions called down fire.

How marvelous you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Who could ever boast of being your equal?

You were taken up by a whirlwind of flames in a chariot drawn by fiery horses.

It was written that you should be the one to calm God’s anger in the future before it broke out in fury, to turn the hearts of fathers to their sons and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

Happy are those who will see you and those who die in love, for we too shall live.

Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15–16, 18–19
Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Gospel: Mt 17:9a, 10–13
As they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they had just seen, until the Son of Man be raised from the dead.

The disciples then asked him, “Why do the teachers of the Law say that Elijah must come first?” And Jesus answered, “So it is: first comes Elijah to set everything as it has to be. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but they did not recognize him, and treated him as they pleased. And they will also make the Son of Man suffer.”

Then the disciples understood that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist.

REFLECTION
Jesus reveals himself as the fullness of the prophecy, the ultimate prophet who fulfils the promises of God for our salvation. Accepting him is recognizing the salvation God promised us. Acceptance is not easy but necessary if we are to benefit from the fullness of God’s grace.