Second Sunday of Advent –

Year A

First Reading

Isaiah 11:1-10

A descendent of Jesse will usher in a time of peace.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17

The Messiah will bring justice and peace to the nations.

Second Reading

Romans 15:4-9

Both Jews and Gentiles glorify God for the salvation found in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist appears in Judea preaching a message of repentance.

Background on the Gospel Reading

In this week's Gospel Reading and next week's, our Advent preparation for Christmas invites us to consider John the Baptist and his relationship to Jesus. In this week's Gospel, Matthew describes the work and preaching of John the Baptist.

John the Baptist appears in the tradition of the great prophets of Israel, preaching repentance and reform to the people of Israel. In fact, the description of John found in this reading is reminiscent of the description of the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). In this reading, John directs a particularly pointed call to repentance to the Pharisees and Sadducees, parties within the Jewish community of the first century.

John marks the conversion of those who seek him out with a baptism of repentance. Other groups in this period are thought to have practiced ritual washings for similar purposes, and John's baptism may have been related to the practices of the Essenes, a Jewish sect of the first century. John's baptism can be understood as an anticipation of Christian baptism. In this passage, John himself alludes to the difference between his baptism and the one yet to come: “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance . . . He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11).

In this reading, John makes very clear that his relationship to the Messiah yet to come (Jesus) is one of service and subservience: “. . . the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals” (Matthew 3:11). In the context of Matthew's Gospel, today's passage is followed by Jesus' baptism by John, an event that is attested to in all four of the Gospels and appears to have been the start of Jesus' public ministry.

John's preaching of the coming of the Lord is a key theme of the Advent season. As John's message prepared the way for Jesus in the first century, we, too, are called to prepare ourselves for Jesus' coming. We respond to John's message by our repentance and reform of our lives. We are also called to be prophets of Christ, who announce by our lives, as John did, the coming of the Lord.

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord

The rock musical Godpell first appeared off-Broadway in 1971. It has since been produced by multiple touring companies and in many revivals. One of the classic songs from this musical is “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord.” That is a fitting Advent theme. Enjoy this 2020 remake of that popular song.

Eight Saints to Celebrate during Advent

In addition to the beautiful Scripture passages that we are offered during the weekdays of Advent, there are also a number of “Advent saints” that can inspire us as we grow in our faith.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Tuesday, December 8

First Reading

Genesis 3:9-15,20

God confronts Adam and Eve after they have eaten of the tree forbidden them by God and curses the serpent for his action.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 98:1,2-3,3-4

Sing to the Lord for he has done wondrous deeds.

Second Reading

Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12

In Christ, we were chosen to be adopted children of God.

Gospel Reading

Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel appears to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus, and Mary responds, “Let it be done to me as you say.”

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast celebrates God's choice of Mary to be the mother of Jesus. God preserved Mary from the stain of original sin from the moment of her conception. Thus, Mary was the first to receive the benefit of the redemption that her Son would merit for all.

To reflect upon this mystery, the Gospel reading for today presents to us the story of the Annunciation. It is through her exchange with the angel Gabriel that Luke, the Evangelist, introduces the person of Mary. The Annunciation begins in the context of Luke's account of the birth of John the Baptist. “In the sixth month,” referring to Elizabeth's pregnancy, the angel Gabriel appears to a virgin of Nazareth—Mary. Indeed, there are many parallels in Luke's accounts of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus.

In this passage, Luke tells us much about Mary and the child she is to bear. We learn that Mary is a virgin from Nazareth who is betrothed to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. The angel greets Mary in the most glowing of terms, acknowledging the favor she has found with God. The son Mary is to conceive is described in messianic terms. He will be called “Son of the Most High” and the “Son of God.”



Mary is bold in her exchange with the angel. She is troubled by his greeting and questions the message, asking “How am I to bear a son if I have no relations with a man?” Mary is told that she will conceive through the power of the Holy Spirit and is offered a sign in the miraculous pregnancy of her elder cousin Elizabeth.

Mary's affirmative response to this seemingly impossible message gives evidence to the grace we know that she possesses from God. Only one who is “full of grace” can be so receptive to and cooperative with the will of God. Because of this, Mary is the model of discipleship for all Christians.

On the weekend of December 10-11, Shoes to the World will be at the church patio fundraising to provide new shoes benefiting children and homeless adults.  

A 100% of your donation will purchase NEW shoes to be distributed by volunteers to impoverished children and adults.  Many of these poor currently wear bacteria filled worn-out hand-me-down shoes.  Additionally, we are starting a project with Fr. Azam to bring shoes to people in the flood devastated areas of Pakistan.  

Please visit www.ShoestotheWorld.Org to see donations at work; this 501-c-3 non-profit works as a volunteer only organization.

Christmas Flowers Offering

Before long we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior. We want to make our church festive for our celebration of Christmas. In your packet of envelopes that we mail to you, there is an envelope marked Christmas Flower Offering. 

If you would like to make a contribution to assist in paying for our Christmas flowers, please place your donation in that envelope (or a plain envelope) and write on the envelope the names of anyone you would like remembered at our Christmas Masses. Indicate if they are deceased (“In memory of…”) or living (“In honor of…”) Place your envelope in the collection basket, mail it to the parish office or drop in off. If you use Online Giving, just put the names on a paper and put it in the collection. All the names will be listed in our parish bulletin and newsletter shortly after Christmas.

Next Family Mass

Our very successful Family Masses continued on the First Sunday of Advent. Fifty households took home an Advent wreath to use as a focus for prayer in their homes. Many thanks to all those who planned this liturgy and to those who participated. 



The next Family Mass for the month of December will be on December 24 at 4:00 pm in the Parish Center. Simultaneously, there will be the regular parish Christmas Mass at the same time in the Church.

Un Saludo de parte del Diacono Miguel,

“En aquel tiempo, comenzó Juan el Bautista a predicar en el desierto de Judea, diciendo: “Arrepiéntanse, porque el Reino de los cielos está cerca”. Juan es aquel de quien el profeta Isaías hablaba, cuando dijo: Una voz clama en el desierto: Preparen el camino del Señor, enderecen sus senderos.” En este Segundo Domingo de Adviento, escuchamos estas palabras fuertes de Juan el Bautista de la necesidad de arrepentirse porque el Reino de los cielos esta cerca. En el Evangelio de este domingo, leemos que muchos que lo escuchaban se acercaban arrepentidos y para que Juan los bautizara con agua. Pero miramos una reacción fuerte de Juan cuando los fariseos y saduceos se le acercan para ser bautizados, Juan les dice, “Raza de víboras, ¿Quién les ha dicho que podrán escapar al castigo que les aguarda?” ¿Por qué es más fuerte Juan con los fariseos y saduceos que con los demás? Por su actitud de arrogancia, de justicia propia, de santurrones, que los hacía sentir “mejor que los demás”. ¿Cuál es nuestra actitud como cristianos? ¿Nuestra actitud parece a la de los fariseos y saduceos? Venimos a misa y comemos el Cuerpo de Cristo, ¿acaso nos sentimos mejores que otros que nos están comulgando? Tú y yo, hemos conocido la gracia y la misericordia de Dios, nuestro deber y responsabilidad es de compartir ese mensaje de Dios con otros. Cómo seres humanos, sabemos que fácilmente caemos en el pecado, por pensamiento, palabra, obra y omisión. Con humildad, miremos nuestros pecados, hagamos ese cambio de 180º en nuestra vida, reconociendo que necesitamos la ayuda de Dios y que siempre está a nuestro lado para brindarnos su mano amorosa.

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866