LARRY BRODING

Spiritual Preparation

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2nd Sunday of Advent (A)

How are your Christmas preparations coming? Lists and shopping and cards? How have you prepared for the season in a spiritual sense?

Christmas season. A time of preparation. Most Americans prepare for the holidays with lights and gifts, cards and good cheer. But the Church reminds us to prepare spiritually. What does that mean? In Matthew’s gospel, John the Baptist gave us a direction.

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SOURCE: WORD-SUNDAY © Larry Broding

VINCE CONTRERAS

2nd Sunday of Advent (A)

1. In the 1st Reading from the prophet Isaiah, who is he describing? In practical terms, how is the messianic kingdom described by Isaiah fulfilled, not only in the future, but here and now?
2. In verses 8 and 9 of the 2nd Reading, St. Paul states that Jesus came in history for two reasons; what are they? How are those fulfilled in the 1st Reading? The 2nd Reading? How well are they being fulfilled in your life when others recognize you as a Catholic Christian?
3. What was John the Baptist like? Why would anyone go out of their way to hear this radical preacher? Who did they think he was (2 Kings 1:8; John 1:19-23)?
4. Assume that John the Baptist is speaking to you personally about repenting because “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” What is repentance? What repentance do you think God has in mind for you to do? What is the “kingdom of heaven?” How would you paraphrase John’s message (verse 2) for people today?
5. Assume further that John addressed you as one of the “brood of vipers.” How might that figure apply to you? How would you respond to John’s accusation?
6. What does this passage say to you as followers of Christ? Are you “comfortable” with its challenges? Where does repentance still need to happen in your life?

DON SCHWAGER

2nd Sunday of Advent (A)

SOURCE: Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics

MICHAEL MARCHAL

John the Baptist as the
Forerunner of Jesus

2nd Sunday of Advent (A)

BACKGROUND: The Synoptic Gospels present John the Baptist as the Forerunner of Jesus, as the prophet whose words and deeds were a call to repentance, to accepting that the kingdom/reign of God is right at hand every day. We will all at last be judged by for what we choose day by day. Yet John is only the herald and not the one who can recreate humankind with wisdom, understanding, and counsel, because only Jesus brings the transforming power of the Spirit.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. For what people might Jesus have chosen you to be his herald today? What message has he given you to proclaim—especially in simple and ordinary ways?
2. What is keeping you from being a stalwart herald? What needs to change in your life if you are going to proclaim the good news of Jesus’s transforming presence?
3. Who in our society especially needs to hear Jesus’s call to change?
4. How is the fire of the Holy Spirit slowly changing your life by faithfulness and mercy?

SOURCE: TEAM RCIA

ANNE OSDIECK

Spiritual Leaders: Finding New Paths to Solve Old Problems

2nd Sunday of Advent (A)

1. Judging by John’s appearance (clothing of camel’s hair, a leather belt around his waist, eating locusts and wild honey) would you guess his cry was lukewarm, or a cry from his heart that called for life-altering change? How would you respond to him? Is the fire within you a conflagration or does it look more like the pilot light? What can you do during Advent to gather some kindling for your fire?

2. Does John the Baptist fit into any spiritual leader category you know? According to Pope Francis, if we lock ourselves in the traditions of the past, what might we miss? Might there be “new paths” to solve old problems in our world and our Church?

In face of the birth of his son, Zechariah was incredulous because natural laws made it impossible; they were old; they were elderly. Consequently, the Lord left [Zechariah] dumb during the whole time of gestation. It’s a sign. But God doesn’t depend on our logic and our limited human capacities. It’s necessary to learn to trust and be silent in face of God’s mystery and to contemplate His work in humility and silence, who reveals Himself in history and who so often exceeds our imagination. …

Fight the temptation to lock oneself in ways and traditions of the past, as a possible solution to today’s crisis. Rather, follow Saint Paul’s teaching to go on the liberating and ever new path of Jesus crucified and resurrected.

Do not lock yourselves in the traditions of the past
Pope Francis, June 23, 2021

MORE QUESTIONS

SOURCE: Sunday Web Site – Saint Louis University

MONIKA KORZEC

The Grace of True Repentance

2nd Sunday of Advent (A)

Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.

1. Now think about your own life as a path on which Jesus will have to travel. How can you describe it? Is it bumpy? Is it smooth? Is it straight or not?
2. What do you need to do to make this path ready for Jesus’s feet? Jesus is not just “any important travel”; thus, maybe it would be worth it to ask him how he feels about the path (your life) on which he will have to walk. Maybe with his help and suggestion, this path can become the best it can be. Talk to Jesus about it. Listen to what your heart is telling you.

MICRO RETREAT

SOURCE: CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT | Recent Retreats