The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers with Commentaries for Sunday, December 10, 2023—SecondSunday of Advent

 

The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers
with Commentaries
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Second Sunday of Advent

Paths of Peace: Preparing the Way

in Expectant Waiting

Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Advent 2)

Introduction

As the candle of peace flickers on this Second Sunday of Advent, our scriptures form a tapestry of anticipation, interweaving comfort, promise, and the call to readiness. Isaiah 40:1-11 rings out with God's command to comfort His people, heralding the leveling of mountains and the raising of valleys to prepare a highway for the Lord. Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 whispers of a past favor and a future where righteousness and peace kiss, offering a vision of harmony and blessing. The epistle of 2 Peter 3:8-15a counsels patience in the Lord's timing, framing each moment as an opportunity for repentance and growth toward the day of God's coming. And in Mark 1:1-8, we meet John the Baptist in the wilderness, his voice a clarion call to prepare the way of the Lord through a baptism of repentance. On this Advent journey, these passages summon us to smooth the paths within our hearts, making straight a way for the Prince of Peace, as we dwell in the hope of His imminent arrival.

This Is Advent Peace

Opening Prayer
(Psalm 85, 2 Peter 3, Mark 1)

Gracious and Loving God, as we enter the sacred time of the Second Sunday of Advent, we are reminded of Your promises in Psalm 85, where You offer peace to Your people, Your faithful servants. May Your glory dwell in our land, bringing truth and love, justice and peace together. Kindle in us a desire for Your presence, and as You once restored the fortunes of Jacob, restore us in faith and love, so we may embrace Your salvation and righteousness that springs forth before our very eyes.

In this season of waiting, we are encouraged by the patience You call for in 2 Peter 3, reminding us that with You, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. Teach us to count our days with wisdom, seeking purity and peace as we anticipate the coming of our Lord. And just as John the Baptist proclaimed in the wilderness, preparing the way in Mark 1, inspire us to be messengers of the Good News, making straight the paths for the coming of Christ in our hearts and in our world. In the spirit of Advent, help us to repent, to prepare, and to be ever vigilant for the signs of Your love made manifest in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer of Confession
(Psalm 85, 2 Peter 3, Mark 1)

Merciful God, in this time of Advent, we come before You with humble hearts, confessing our shortcomings and seeking Your grace. As You have promised restoration and peace, we too ask for Your forgiveness where we have faltered, not living up to Your call for justice and truth to meet, and righteousness and peace to kiss. Mindful of the teachings, we confess our impatience and our failure to live as people of hope, often disregarding the precious time You have given us to grow in holiness. Like the crowds flocking to John the Baptist, we recognize our need for a baptism of repentance, for we have not always prepared the way for Your coming in our actions and thoughts. We have resisted Your way of love, and our paths have been crooked with indifference and resistance. In Your boundless mercy, forgive us, renew us, and guide us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your name. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon
(Isaiah 40, Psalm 85)

Beloved in Christ, as the voice calls out in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord and make straight in the desert a highway for our God, be assured that your cries for redemption have been heard. The glory of the Lord has indeed been revealed, and all people shall see it together. Just as the Lord promised peace to His people through the psalmist, so too does He offer forgiveness to those who fear Him. In steadfast love and faithfulness, God meets us where we are; righteousness goes before Him and prepares the way for His steps into our lives. Therefore, embrace the mercy of our God, who pardons iniquities and bestows upon us the peace which surpasses all understanding, and who crowns us with steadfast love and mercy. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven, and in His name, we are called to live as a forgiven people. Amen.

Today’s Lectionary Readings
First Reading
Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort for the People: The Majesty of God’s Promise

As we light the candle of peace this Advent season and turn to the prophetic oracle of Isaiah 40:1-11, we are invited into a space of profound comfort and hope. In this passage, Isaiah speaks to the heart of a people in exile, offering a divine assurance that their period of hardship is nearing its end. The imagery is rich and evocative: valleys lifted, mountains made low, uneven ground made level, and rough places smoothed. This is a portrait not only of a physical but also of a spiritual preparation, where the way of the Lord is made straight through the transformation of the landscape of human hearts. It’s a call to witness the sovereign power of God, who comes with might yet tenderly shepherds His people.

40 1  Comfort, comfort my people,
        says your God.
2    Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
        and proclaim to her
    that her hard service has been completed,
        that her sin has been paid for,
    that she has received from the Lord’s hand
        double for all her sins.

3    A voice of one calling:
    “In the wilderness prepare
        the way for the Lord;
    make straight in the desert
        a highway for our God.
4    Every valley shall be raised up,
        every mountain and hill made low;
    the rough ground shall become level,
        the rugged places a plain.
5    And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
        and all people will see it together.
    For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

6    A voice says, “Cry out.”
        And I said, “What shall I cry?”

    “All people are like grass,
        and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
7    The grass withers and the flowers fall,
        because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
        Surely the people are grass.
8    The grass withers and the flowers fall,
        but the word of our God endures forever.”

9    You who bring good news to Zion,
        go up on a high mountain.
    You who bring good news to Jerusalem,
        lift up your voice with a shout,
    lift it up, do not be afraid;
        say to the towns of Judah,
        “Here is your God!”
10  See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
        and he rules with a mighty arm.
    See, his reward is with him,
        and his recompense accompanies him.
11  He tends his flock like a shepherd:
        He gathers the lambs in his arms
    and carries them close to his heart;
        he gently leads those that have young.

Commentary

The passage from Isaiah 40:1-11 is a pivotal shift from messages of judgment to those of salvation, resonating through the ages as a voice of hope for all who find themselves in the wilderness of despair or waiting. The prophet begins with Comfort, comfort my people, a double imperative that underscores the urgency and depth of God's message of consolation to Israel. This comfort is not passive; it's an active, transformative process that involves preparing the way for the Lord, a divine highway in the desert. It speaks of a radical upheaval where human impediments are removed, and divine glory is revealed for all to see, a reassurance of God's faithfulness to His promises.

As we delve deeper, Isaiah contrasts the transient nature of human life, likened to grass that withers, with the enduring word of our God that stands forever. This introduces an element of perspective—the frailty of human existence against the backdrop of God's unchanging sovereignty. The passage culminates with an intimate portrayal of God as the shepherd, highlighting the personal care and guidance He provides. He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart, an image that paints God's might and gentleness in one stroke.

Isaiah 40:1-11 is not just a promise of physical return from exile but also a prophetic foreshadowing of the coming of John the Baptist and ultimately, the advent of Christ, the Good Shepherd. In this season of Advent, the passage speaks afresh to us, promising that every obstacle to God’s presence will be removed and His glory will be manifest. It invites us to trust in the enduring word of the Lord and to find comfort in His power and compassion, as we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Messiah.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Revival through God's Mercy and Truth

Psalm 85 is a song of the sons of Korah, expressing a deep longing for the restoration and revival of God's people. This passage reflects on God's past mercies, seeking His forgiveness and favor once again. It beautifully depicts the harmonious relationship between God's mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace.

1    You, Lord, showed favor to your land; *
        you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2    You forgave the iniquity of your people *
        and covered all their sins.

8    I will listen to what God the Lord says; *
        he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
            but let them not turn to folly.

9    Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, *
        that his glory may dwell in our land.

10    Love and faithfulness meet together; *
        righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11    Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, *
        and righteousness looks down from heaven.

12    The Lord will indeed give what is good, *
        and our land will yield its harvest.

13    Righteousness goes before him *
        and prepares the way for his steps.

Gracious and Loving God, as we gather in the light of Your presence on this Second Sunday of Advent, we thank You for the words of the Psalmist that echo through the ages—reminders of Your favor and forgiveness. In the stillness of our hearts, we recall Your restoration and peace, bestowed upon us through Your unfailing love.

Lord, as You have been gracious to Your land and restored the fortunes of Your people, we seek Your continued grace in our lives. Forgive us our iniquity and cover our sin, that we may rejoice in Your salvation. We yearn to hear what You, Lord God, will speak, for You promise peace to Your people, Your faithful servants—let us not turn to folly.

In this Advent season of anticipation, we listen for Your goodness, and we look for Your salvation. May Your unfailing love and truth meet amongst us; may righteousness and peace kiss within our hearts and communities. Help us to foster these divine gifts in our daily lives.

May Your glory, O God, dwell in our land. Let faithfulness spring forth from the earth, and righteousness look down from heaven. Prepare our hearts to receive the abundance of Your blessings, as You, Lord, grant us Your bounty, and our land yields its harvest.

Grant us the wisdom to walk in Your paths, guided by Your truth, that righteousness may go before us and prepare the way for Your steps. Through the tender mercy of our Savior Jesus Christ, lead us into peace and righteousness, as we await the joy of His coming.

In His holy name, we pray, Amen.

Second Reading
From the Epistles
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Divine Patience and Our Call to Diligence

In the rich tapestry of Advent reflection, 2 Peter 3:8-15a brings to the forefront the profound understanding of time from a divine perspective and the ethical imperatives that stem from this understanding. As we light the second candle on the Advent wreath, symbolizing peace, we are reminded of the peace that comes from living in the truth of God's promises. Peter encourages the early Christians, and us by extension, to consider the Lord's patience as an opportunity for salvation, an invitation to view the apparent delay in Christ's return not as slackness but as an expression of God's mercy. This passage calls for a life of holiness and godliness as we anticipate the Day of the Lord, fostering a sense of active waiting that cultivates peace and righteousness.

3 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15a Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation.

Commentary

2 Peter 3:8-15a addresses the early Christian community's concern about the perceived delay of the Second Coming of Christ. Peter reframes this delay by underscoring a key aspect of God's nature: patience. He dismantles the notion of divine procrastination by affirming that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. This concept transcends human impatience and situates the believers in the realm of God’s timing, which is not bound by human measurements.

The passage also serves as a clarion call to lead lives of holiness and godliness, accentuating the eschatological tension between the 'already' and the 'not yet.' It suggests that the community's ethical behavior can somehow hasten the coming day of God—a day that will bring about the dissolution of the heavens and the earth, making way for a new creation characterized by righteousness.

Peter's words pivot from cosmic events to the personal sphere, encouraging the reader to live in peace, without spot and blameless, in anticipation of the day of God. The apostle's exhortation to consider God's patience as salvation echoes through the ages, reminding us that the time leading up to the Lord's return is an invaluable gift for repentance and spiritual growth.

In the Advent season, this passage resonates with particular poignancy, as we not only remember Christ's first coming but also look forward with hope to His return. It challenges us to evaluate our lives, encourages us to grow in grace and knowledge, and to witness to the patience and promises of God through our actions and character. As we await the fulfillment of God's promises, 2 Peter 3:8-15a inspires us to live as a people of peace, marked by a diligence that reflects our Lord's patient, saving work.

Today’s Gospel Reading
Mark 1:1-8
The Wilderness Call: A Journey of Preparation

Mark 1:1-8 opens the Gospel with a powerful and unambiguous proclamation: the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah. In the simplicity and solitude of the wilderness, a voice cries out, compelling and raw, calling people from all walks of life to a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As we observe the second Sunday of Advent, the candle of peace casts a light on John the Baptist, the prophetic figure who strides onto the stage of salvation history to prepare the way for the Lord. This passage invites us into a narrative of beginnings, urging us to make our own paths straight, to smooth our spiritual rough places, in the expectant waiting for the One who is more powerful, the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

1 1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

    “I will send my messenger ahead of you,
        who will prepare your way”—
3    “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
    ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
        make straight paths for him.’”

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Commentary

Mark’s Gospel is characterized by its brisk and urgent storytelling, and this is evident from the outset. In Mark 1:1-8, the evangelist wastes no time introducing John the Baptist as the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. John's ministry in the Judean wilderness is depicted as both a historical event and a timeless call to conversion and transformation. Clothed in camel's hair and eating locusts and wild honey, John embodies the austere spirit of the prophetic tradition. His appearance and lifestyle contrast starkly with the opulence and corruption of the religious elite, emphasizing his message's purity and the urgency of repentance.

John’s baptism in the Jordan River signifies not only ritual cleansing but also personal and communal change—a turning away from sin and a reorientation toward God. It is a powerful act of humility and commitment for those who participated, publicly acknowledging their need for forgiveness and their desire to prepare for the coming Messiah.

The passage culminates with John’s testimony of unworthiness compared to the coming one, Jesus Christ, who, unlike John, will baptize with the Holy Spirit. This anticipates the transformative power of Jesus' ministry, which goes beyond external rites to internal renewal and empowerment.

During Advent, this narrative beckons us to enter our own wilderness, to face the unvarnished truths of our lives, and to embrace repentance. Mark 1:1-8 challenges us to prepare our hearts and lives for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, to be ready for the profound changes that Christ’s coming demands. It’s a call to humble acknowledgment of our own limitations and an invitation to receive the boundless power and presence of God in Jesus Christ.

Here end the Readings

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed

• We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

• And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.

• And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord's Prayer - Our Father Who Art in Heaven

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy Communion

Holy Communion
A nondenominational serving of bread and wine

Though no video can truly replace the experience of celebrating together in our places of worship, we know that where two or more are gathered, the Lord is present. This table is open to all who recognize Jesus Christ as healer and redeemer. This table is open to all who work to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth. No one is turned away because of life circumstances. No one is barred from this table. No one seeking God’s abundant grace and mercy is turned aside. We see before us the abundance that a life of faith offers as we respond to God’s everlasting mercy in prayer and deed.

Communion Prayer
(Philippians 2)

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the life and love of Christ, that we may be the body of Christ for the world, redeemed and unified by Christ’s love and grace. By your Spirit, make us one with Christ, one with one another, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at your heavenly banquet. Through Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and forevermore. Amen.

Benediction
(2 Peter 3, Mark 1)

As we close this time of worship on this Second Sunday of Advent, may you go forth in the patience and peace of our Lord, carrying with you the promise of renewal from 2 Peter 3, where a day with the Lord spans beyond the measure of time. Let the message of Mark 1 resonate in your steps—just as John the Baptist prepared the way in the wilderness, may you too prepare a way in your hearts and lives for the coming of the Christ. Depart now with joy, strengthened by the Spirit, to live out the Gospel, as we await the day of God with expectant hearts. In the name of Christ, who is coming, who is here, and who will come again, go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen.

An Advent Prayer of Peace

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets].

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries by Kenny Sallee, ThM.

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, December 10, 2023
Second Sunday of Advent
Paths of Peace: Preparing the Way in Expectant Waiting
Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8
As the candle of peace flickers on this Second Sunday of Advent, our scriptures form a tapestry of anticipation, interweaving comfort, promise, and the call to readiness. Isaiah 40:1-11 rings out with God's command to comfort His people, heralding the leveling of mountains and the raising of valleys to prepare a highway for the Lord. Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 whispers of a past favor and a future where righteousness and peace kiss, offering a vision of harmony and blessing. The epistle of 2 Peter 3:8-15a counsels patience in the Lord's timing, framing each moment as an opportunity for repentance and growth toward the day of God's coming. And in Mark 1:1-8, we meet John the Baptist in the wilderness, his voice a clarion call to prepare the way of the Lord through a baptism of repentance. On this Advent journey, these passages summon us to smooth the paths within our hearts, making straight a way for the Prince of Peace, as we dwell in the hope of His imminent arrival.