This Week's Liturgy

God's Messenger

December 10th, 2023

Second Sunday of Advent

Activities for Primary Grades
Activities

Discussion Questions for Reading 1

Isaiah uses the images of desert and wasteland to describe the highway where God will come to his people. How are our hearts and our world a desert and a wasteland in need of God's coming? What can we do to open our hearts and receive these words of comfort and hope, first spoken in a time of great sorrow? Is it difficult to open our hearts to the comfort and hope Jesus brings? Is there a way to prepare the way for Jesus in our world? This reading also describes God as a shepherd. How does he care for the lambs?

Reading 1 Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11

Reading 1 Reflection

In the First Reading we hear words of comfort and hope to the people in a time of great sorrow: "Comfort, give comfort to my people. . . ." The prophet tells the people to look up because the Messiah is coming: "Prepare the way of the Lord!" We hear these same words in today's Gospel Reading as John the Baptist begins his mission. How will we receive the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who comes in God's name to comfort and speak tenderly to us? What can we do to welcome him into our lives?

Discussion Questions for Reading 2

What does it mean to live a life of conversion? In what ways can we bring about our own conversion? We "await new heavens and a new earth." What did God promise would be two characteristics of this new day?

Reading 2 2 Peter 3:8–14

Reading 2 Reflection

In this reading the writer is addressing believers who expected the second coming of Christ to take place right away and were troubled that it was delayed. He reminds them that for God a thousand years is like one day. The task of the Christian is to live a life of "holiness and devotion," patience, generosity, and conversion until God comes at the end of time. This coming is called "the day of the Lord" in this letter.

At the heart of Peter's message and its imagery of the world's end is the need for conversion. We wish to make straight and smooth everything in our lives—our selfishness and pride, our impatience and meanness, our laziness and indifference—whatever blocks the way of the Lord.

Discussion Questions for Gospel

Why does Mark’s Gospel begin with the preaching of John the Baptist? How does Mark connect John and Jesus to the Hebrew Scriptures? John has sometimes been called the last Hebrew prophet. Where did he preach and baptize? To whom did his preaching point? Describe John’s ministry. What does the end of today's Gospel Reading—"I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit"—mean?

Gospel Mark 1:1–8

Gospel Reflection

In the Gospel today, Mark introduces John the Baptist as the messenger of the Messiah, sent by God to prepare his path. John preaches a baptism of repentance and the forgiveness of sins in the desert by the Jordan River. The coming Messiah will baptize with the Holy Spirit. He is mightier than John or any of the prophets before him.

Let us prepare for Jesus' coming as John taught the people to prepare: with repentance for our sins, with welcoming hearts, with unselfish love, and with generosity for one another.

Proclaiming Faith Activities for Primary Grades

Heralding the Good News

In the First Reading, Isaiah tells us to be heralds of glad tidings—good news. Have the children herald good news by encouraging them to write or illustrate some good news. Provide strips of light-colored construction paper for the children to use. After they have completed their writings or illustrations, show the children how to form one of the strips into a loop, link it with another loop, and tape or staple it closed. Encourage the children to share good news each day, adding links to the chain throughout the season of Advent.

Remembering John the Baptist

In today's Gospel we meet the prophet, John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus. While in the desert, John ate wild honey. Reread the Gospel. Explain that John was Jesus' cousin.

Remember John the Baptist by sharing an Advent treat. Spread crackers with honey for the children to eat. (Note: Check for children’s allergies before bringing food to class, and consider choosing a substitute treat, if necessary.)

Proclaiming Faith Activities

A Just World

Saint Peter tells us in the Second Reading that we await "new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." What are some things that would make the world today more righteous, or just, in God's eyes?

What can you do now as an individual to help make these things happen? Share your ideas with your family or friends and discuss ways you can work together to achieve these goals.

Preparing for the Lord's Coming

Reflect quietly for a few moments on the good qualities or virtues you must deepen in order to prepare your heart for the Lord's coming. Think of three qualities that you think you need to improve in your life, such as honesty, truthfulness, kindness, loyalty, forgiveness, gratitude, obedience, or responsibility. Write a prayer asking Jesus to help you to grow in these virtues.

Who are you?

Fill in the names of some of the people who were present at your Baptism. Ask one of them about that day if you don't know all the answers.

Mother, Father, Godmother, Godfather, Priest or Deacon who baptized you. Who else was there? What was the date? What was the weather like? What words were said? Was there a party? What did you become?