Sunday Reflection – 05 December 2021

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Also Read: Mass Readings for 05 December 2021

First Reading: Baruch 5: 1-9

Hope!

Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height; look toward the east and see your children gathered from west and east at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them. (5)

In this wondrous and beautiful season of awaiting the Lord, Prophet Baruch proclaims to us words that bring great joy and hope. The gathering of her children from west and east symbolizes the church today, gathering universally. Especially, with the online services, we have a sense of unique oneness with our brothers and sisters across continents! Amen! Therefore, what was meant for evil has been turned into good, through the mighty working of God! Though churches closed last year, we came together as one family in spirit and in truth! Amen! For unless we were called, we wouldn’t have attended any online services either.

The woods and every fragrant tree have truly shaded us at God’s command! (8)  Praise God!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 126: 1-6

Joy!

Those who go out weeping bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. (6)

There is a hope shared here. When we are faced with trouble, we know who holds our tomorrow. Amen!

Second Reading: Philippians 1: 4-6, 8-11

Love!

And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight. (9)

To help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless. (10)

To gain true insight into all things, we are called by dear St. Paul today, to increase our love! Very unique teaching, indeed! No surprises that Christianity is a peculiar religion, then!

So if we seek discernment from the Lord, we need to ask him to increase our capacity to Love! Are we truly willing?

Gospel: Luke 3: 1-6

Salvation!

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. (6)

This is a historically proven account with the exact time and names of the reigning Rulers. We must understand that the Bible doesn’t carry any ‘stories’ or ‘fables’. God came to us, lived among us, died, and rose for us; on this very same earth, we live on today! Might we just consider this fact in simple faith today, we ought to tremble at the thought!

We are blessed and have been given salvation, once and for all! Amen.

May we venerate Our Holy Trinity One God continually, just as St. Paul explains to the Philippians! Amen.