Daily Catholic Lectio
Sunday, 10 December 2023
Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11. 2 Peter 3:8-14. Mark 1:1-8
Beginning of the Good News
Whatever happens around us comes to us as news. Some news is called good, while some is called bad. All the news that we hear has an impact on us. The bad news brings discomfort; it spoils our peace. The good news gives us joy and hope. We don’t like bad news. We await good news.
The prophet Isaiah brings the good news of the Lord to the people of Israel in exile: ‘comfort my people, speak tenderly to Jerusalem.’ The people of Israel who heard ‘sin, punishment, exile, judgement’ will now hear the tender words of God.
The three characteristics of the Lord’s good news to the people of Jerusalem are: (a) Her service of exile is at an end; (b) the way of the Lord is made ready – the way is ready not only for the Lord but also for the people of Israel; and (c) God himself will come like a shepherd, taking care of the fragile and vulnerable.
Jerusalem, which receives the good news, begins to announce it.
The gospel reading begins with a beautiful line: ‘The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.’
Jesus’ birth, ministry, preaching, miracles, passion, death, and resurrection are summed up in one word: ‘gospel.’ The expression ‘the beginning’ not only marks the beginning of the gospel but also the advent of future events. The ‘son of God’ and ‘Christ’ are the titles that Mark gives to Jesus.
The beginning of the gospel, surprisingly, begins with John the Baptist. Mark portrays John the Baptist as the fulfilment of ‘the voice’ and ‘the herald’ (cf. Mal 3:1).
John the Baptist becomes the beginning of the Gospel in three ways: (a) through the good news that he preached – he announces the message of repentance; (b) through his austere lifestyle – Mark mentions John’s appearance and food habits; and (c) by announcing the Messiah, John points out to the Messiah as someone greater and mightier than him.
In the first reading, Jerusalem, which is presented with the good news, turns out to be the preacher of good news; and in the gospel reading, the gospel is preached to all, and John the Baptist is the messenger.
On the second Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of peace. The people of Israel in exile are promised peace and comfort through the intervention of God. In the gospel reading, John’s message indicates that repentance brings forth peace. In the second reading, Peter writes that God wants the repentance of all of us.
What is the lesson for us today?
The Lord God brings good news to us. He gives comfort and tender news. He invites us to share the good news with others. John the Baptist lives out the message of the gospel through his simplicity and humility.
May God grant us peace that surpasses all our understanding! Today and ever.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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