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[lowcallyfruity]

Sometimes you just have to draw your ocs from memory

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Luke 3

Over the 24 days leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a chapter of Luke every day. I encourage you to read through Luke's gospel and reflect on Jesus's time here on earth. Perhaps you'll find something new.

Masterlist

Luke 3 (NIV)

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.

5 Every valley shall be filled in,

every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight,

the rough ways smooth.

6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’"

7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,

the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat,

the son of Levi, the son of Melki,

the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos,

the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,

the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath,

the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein,

the son of Josek, the son of Joda,

27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa,

the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel,

the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melki,

the son of Addi, the son of Cosam,

the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,

29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer,

the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,

the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon,

the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,

the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna,

the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,

the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse,

the son of Obed, the son of Boaz,

the son of Salmon,the son of Nahshon,

33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram,

the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,

the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob,

the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,

the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu,

the son of Peleg, the son of Eber,

the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan,

the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem,

the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch,

the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel,

the son of Kenan, 38 the son of Enosh,

the son of Seth, the son of Adam,

the son of God. "

FOOTNOTE: Though it can be boring to read, Jesus's genealogy was important to include in the gospels. At the time it was written, it was a well-known fact amongst the Jews that the Messiah would be a descendent of David. Because of this, the writers used Jesus's genealogy as proof that he is the Messiah.

....

All of this was taken from the Bible Gateway, which is an online Bible that you can easily search up. For those of you who do not have Bibles of your own, I encourage you to use online resources like Bible Gateway to read God's word.

Happy Holidays

If you have any questions regarding the Christian faith, please ask me in my ask box. I am not a perfect person, but I will try and answer your questions as best as I can. We all have much more to learn, myself included. So please, do not be shy.

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

8th December >> Fr. Martin's Homilies/Reflections on Today's Mass Readings for Second Sunday of Advent (C) (Inc. Luke 3:1-6): ‘The word of God came to John’.

Second Sunday of Advent (C)

Gospel (Except GB & USA) Luke 3:1-6 The call of John the Baptist.

In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth. And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.

Gospel (GB) Luke 3:1-6 ‘All flesh shall see the salvation of God.’

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” ’

Gospel (USA) Luke 3:1–6 All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Homilies (5)

(i) Second Sunday of Advent

It is a dark time of the year. The days continue to get shorter as we draw closer to the shortest day of the year in about two weeks’ time. In these darkening days, we light our second Advent candle, reminding us that we draw closer to the great feast of light, when we celebrate the birth of the one who proclaimed, ‘I am the light of the world’. As we celebrate that feast on 25th December, we will have reached the summit of the darkness and we will be on our way down towards the light. Even though Advent is celebrated in the darkest time of the year, it is a hopeful season because it keeps pointing us towards the light, towards God who is light eternal and who shone at his brightest in this world when Jesus was born.

The risen Lord remains the light of the world, the light of our lives, today. Today’s first reading speaks of God guiding his people in joy by the light of his glory. The risen Lord continues to guide us today by the light of his glory. He remains God’s eternal light who shines in our darkness, whatever form that darkness may take for us. As John’s gospel says of Jesus, ‘the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it’. Advent is a season when we are invited to open ourselves up more fully to the light of the risen Lord that always shines upon us. We can easily turn from the light and head towards the darkness. We can fail to recognize the good news that the light of God’s unconditional love is always shining upon us through his Son, our risen Lord. We need to keep on turning towards the light ever more fully. We will never be fully turned towards the Lord in this earthly life. It is only in eternity that we will be turned towards the Lord as fully as he is turned towards us. It is only then that we will see the Lord face to face. In the course of our earthly life we are always on a journey towards the light. The call to turn towards the light is one we need to respond to every day.

This was the message of John the Baptist in today’s gospel reading. He proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. His call to repent was a call to turn away from the darkness towards the coming light, towards the one who was coming after John and who was more powerful than John, because the power of God’s love, God’s light, was shining fully through him. Taking up the language of the prophet Isaiah, John called on people to prepare a way in their lives for the Lord. This is the Advent call to us all, ‘Prepare a way for the Lord’. That call presumes that the Lord is always coming towards us. The Lord’s daily coming, his daily presence to us, is never in doubt. We don’t have to go searching for the Lord as if he was hiding from us. We only need to create an opening in our lives for his coming which is assured. He is always there. We only have to turn towards him. John the Baptist saw his role as helping people to turn towards the Lord, towards the one who declares himself to be the light of the world and who promises that whoever follows him ‘will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life’. Because of John’s ministry, many people were helped to turn towards the Lord.

Today, the second Sunday of Advent, may be a good time to recall all those John the Baptist figures in our own lives, all those people who helped us to open ourselves up more fully towards the light of the Lord’s coming, the light of his presence. I came across a quotation recently which I found very thought provoking, ‘Those who drink the water should never forget those who dug the well’. It is good to ask ourselves, ‘Who dug the wells of faith and hope that I now drink from?’ When I reflect on my own journey of faith, I recall those John the Baptist figures who dug the wells that I now drink from. I think first of the faith of my parents and grandparents. I think of teachers I encountered in my primary and secondary school. I call to mind priests of my home parish in Cabra. I think of many other women and men whose witness to the Lord helped me to turn that bit more fully towards the light of his presence. They helped me to prepare a way for the Lord to enter my life more fully.

In today’s second reading, Saint Paul recognizes the church in Philippi as people of faith who dug wells from which he now drinks. He prays for them with joy, remembering how they helped him to spread the good news. We are all called to be such a John the Baptist figure for each other, to live in such a way that helps others to welcome the Lord who is always coming into their lives. This is one expression of what Saint Paul in that reading refers to as the ‘good work’ that God wishes to do in all of our lives.

And/Or

(ii) Second Sunday of Advent

A lot of work has been done on our road network in recent years. In the language of the gospel reading, winding ways have been straightened and rough roads made smooth. Some of the major motorways, such as the M50 around Dublin, have even resulted in valleys being filled in and hills being laid low. The purpose of this road building work is to enable us to move around more quickly in our cars. On some roads, travel times to and from Dublin have certainly been reduced. Yet, we continue to struggle with traffic congestion.

As well as our roads, our lives can sometimes get congested. We can feel at times that we are at a standstill in life. We may appear to be making little progress, either stuck in something of a rut or going around in circles. Sometimes we may need the likes of a John the Baptist to help us get going in a direction that gives purpose to our lives. In the gospel reading, John the Baptist, in calling on people to repent, was asking them to think about where there lives were going, and to redirect their lives towards God.

In calling on people to turn away from sin and turn towards God, John also reminded them that God was turned towards them and was journeying towards them on a great highway. John was really saying that God’s journey towards them was far more important that their journey towards God. However, John reminded the people that if God was to enter their lives, they needed to create a space for God, to make way for God, filling the valleys and levelling the hills of the heart, so that God could enter their lives unhindered.

Advent reminds us that the really important journey in life is God’s journey towards us. God comes to us through his Son. Our Advent prayer, ‘Come, Lord Jesus’, recognizes that. We may not always know where we are going, but the Lord knows where he is going. We are his destination, and he comes to us on a broad highway with no congestion. The Lord comes to us for a purpose, to guide us towards life. The first reading expresses that in a striking way, ‘God will guide Israel in joy by the light of his glory’. The Lord comes to take us in the direction he desires for us, towards what the second reading calls ‘perfect goodness’. The Lord journeys towards us to take us somewhere we could never reach if left to ourselves. St. Paul recognizes this in the second reading when he says, ‘I am quite certain that the one who began this good work in you will see that it is finished’. The Lord comes to us to complete his good work in our lives, to take us on a journey towards goodness, and thereby, life.

In reminding us of the Lord’s journey towards us, Advent calls on us to make a way in our lives for the Lord’s coming. There may be valleys and hills in our lives that make it difficult for the Lord to come to us and to accomplish in us what he wants for us. For various reasons, we can keep the Lord at a distance. We can be slow to admit him, whenever he comes and knocks. Like Simon Peter we might be tempted to say, ‘Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful person’. Our realization that our lives are not all they could be can leave us wanting to keep the Lord at a distance, out of fear of what he might say to us. Yet, Paul reminds us today, that the Lord comes not in judgement but in love. He tells the Philippians that he, Paul, loves them as Christ Jesus loves them. The Lord comes to us in love, not to quench the smouldering wick or to crush the bruised reed, but to complete the good work he has begun in us.

Advent invites us to open our lives to the Lord’s coming. From time to time a John the Baptist or a Paul can enter our lives and help us to receive the Lord’s coming. We need such people on our life’s journey, people who see the good in us that we often do not see in ourselves, who ‘recognize what is best’ in us, in the words of the second reading, who appreciate the good work that the Lord is doing in our lives, even if that good work is far from finished. Those who see us in this way, thereby help us to receive the Lord’s coming, and free us to go in the direction the Lord wants to take us.

Today we might remember all those people who had a significant influence for good on our own life’s journey. We think of parents, grandparents, godparents, teachers, and friends, all who helped to create a way for the Lord to enter our lives. It is good to name the spiritual guides in our lives and to thank God for them, praying for them with joy, as the second reading puts it. The great Albert Schweitzer, the gifted musician, theologian and philosopher, who became a physician to so many in Gabon in Africa, often said that he wished he had taken the opportunity to express his thanks to the many who had guided him in his younger years. In remembering such people in our own lives this morning, it is also worth reminding ourselves that the Lord calls us in turn to become a John the Baptist or a Paul to those in our own circle of influence. We respond to that calling by recognizing what is best in others and by helping them, in turn, to recognize that for themselves.

And/Or

(iii) Second Sunday of Advent

We are only a little over two weeks away from Christmas now and soon many of those who live abroad will be setting out on a journey home. One of the better traditions that have grown up around Christmas is that of the journey home. People make an effort to be at home and to welcome others home at this time of the year. ‘Home for Christmas’ is one of the catch cries of the season. For those who cannot come home, such as people in hospitals or nursing homes, great efforts are often made to bring as much of an experience of home to them as is possible.

That image of journeying home is very strong in today’s readings. The long quotation from the prophet Isaiah in today’s gospel reading calls on people to prepare a way for the Lord, because the Lord is coming across the wilderness at the head of his people to lead them home to Jerusalem, the city from which they had been exiled. Those in exile were being assured that the Lord was coming to take them home. That image of people going home is even more prominent in the first reading. It is announced to the city of Jerusalem that the people who left the city on foot as slaves are soon to be brought back like princes, led by the Lord. God will guide the people home by the light of his glory.

In going home to Jerusalem, the people were, in a sense, going home to God, because Jerusalem was the city of God, the place where God had chosen to dwell. The temple in Jerusalem was the visible manifestation of God’s presence. For us as Christians, Jesus is the new temple, the place where God is present and visible in a unique way; he is Emmanuel, God-with-us. As we approach Christmas, we too hear the call to journey home, to journey towards God, towards God’s Son.

At Christmas we will be celebrating the good news that God has made his home among us, in and through his Son who remains with us until the end of time. God came home to us through the birth, life, death and resurrection of his Son. If at Christmas we celebrate God’s coming home to us, in Advent we hear the call to come home to God. Advent invites us to set out on a journey home, in the deepest sense of that word ‘home’, to set out on a journey towards God, towards Emmanuel, God-with-us. We may have left home in that deeper sense - distanced ourselves from the Lord, for whatever reason. Perhaps we have experienced life as something of a wilderness. In that wilderness we may have felt that God was distant from us and we, in turn, may have grown distant from the Lord. This Sunday, a voice cries in the wilderness, the voice of the Lord, calling on us to come home, to journey towards him, to grow in our relationship with him.

The Christian life is always a journey. We will never be fully at home in this life, because our true home is in heaven. We are always journeying towards home, always moving towards the Lord, always trying to grow in our relationship with him. Paul assures us in today’s second reading that this journey towards the Lord, this growing towards him, is not all down to us; it is not primarily our work. According to Paul it is more fundamentally the Lord’s work. That is why Paul prays that the Lord who began a good work in the lives of the Philippians would bring that good work to completion. The Lord works to bring us home to himself. Expressing that in other terms, we can say that the Lord draws us to himself. In John’s gospel Jesus says of himself, ‘When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself’. The Lord’s drawing is always prior to our journeying and it is the Lord’s drawing us that will keep us journeying even when we seem to have very little energy within ourselves to keep going.

In drawing us closer to himself, the Lord is always drawing us closer to each other. The Lord does not draw us to himself as individuals but as members of a people. Our journey towards the Lord, while very personal to each of us, is never a purely private journey, but one that we travel with others. That is why in today’s second reading, Paul identifies God’s good work coming to completion in us with our love for each other increasing more and more. The Advent call to come home to the Lord is at the same time a call to come home to each other, to love one another as Christ loves us. As we approach the feast of Christmas we could ask ourselves what that might mean concretely for us here and now. Are there people I have drifted from that I need to connect with again? Is there someone I need to journey towards in love that I have grown distant from? There may be very particular journeys that the Lord is asking us to make at this time - that he is drawing us to make.

Emmanuel, God-with-us, is the living expression of God’s journey towards us. We prepare to celebrate the feast of Emmanuel by journeying towards each other in love. In so doing, we can help to make the wilderness bloom for others. We can become the Lord’s voices in the wilderness, people who enable others to recognize that the Lord is indeed present, even in those desolate and difficult moments when all seems lost.

And/Or

(iv) Second Sunday of Advent

We are in a very dark time of the year. The mornings are dark and the evenings continue to draw in. Light is at a premium, and we have yet to reach the shortest day of the year. In that growing darkness we have lit our second Advent candle this morning. The days may be getting shorter, but our Advent wreath is getting brighter. The growing brightness of our Advent reading is telling us that we are drawing closer to the great feast of light, Christmas, the feast when we celebrate the coming of the one who declared, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life’. The first letter of John states, ‘God is light’; it also states, ‘God is love’. It was with the birth of Jesus that the light of God’s love shone among us and upon us in a special and wonderful way. In the first reading this morning, the prophet looks forward to a day when ‘God will guide Israel in joy by the light of his glory with his mercy and integrity for escort’. That day dawned with the birth of Jesus. In Advent we look forward to celebrating the dawning of that day when the light of God’s glory shone among us.

Advent is a hopeful season. Hope is such an important Christian virtue. Hope is more than optimism. We can be optimistic about all kinds of things, but, strictly speaking, the object of hope is always God. Hope is rooted in faith. We are hopeful because we believe in a God who can bring life out of death, light out of darkness. It is above all in dark times that we need hope. As well as the dark days, the times have been dark recently. Recent events in Paris and elsewhere has left people feeling that the world is a darker and more dangerous place. In these dark days and dark times, Advent, the season of hope, is very timely.

The second reading this morning is taken from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul wrote that letter out of a very dark situation. He was in a Roman prison somewhere. It is clear from that letter that he wasn’t at all clear that he would get out alive. Yet, even though the situation in which Paul wrote that letter was dark and unpromising, the letter itself is one of the most hopeful, and indeed joyful, of all Paul’s letters. The very existence of this letter in the New Testament tells us that it is possible to be full of hope in even the darkest of situations. In that letter Paul looks at life with hopeful eyes. When he thinks of the church in Philippi, he things primarily of the good they have done. That church was no more perfect than any other church, but Paul chooses to celebrate the good that is there among them. He remembers with joy the ways they have helped to spread the good news from the days they first heard it right up to the present.

We can be tempted in dark times to look at everything and everyone with jaundiced eyes. Paul encourages us to look at life, and, especially, at people with hopeful eyes, even in dark times. To look at people with hopeful eyes is to be alert to all that is good in their lives and to celebrate that goodness. It is to name, to ourselves and to others, what they have done more than what they have failed to do. Paul expresses the hope in that reading that God who began this good work among the church in Philippi would one day bring it to completion. Paul was not only in tune with what was good in people’s lives, but he was also very aware of what people could become with God’s help. We need to look at ourselves and at others with those kinds of hopeful eyes. God’s good work has only begun in us. We are a work in progress, and, in spite of our failings, God will keep on working to bring the good work he has been doing in ourselves to completion. God does ask us to co-operate with his ongoing work in our lives. Yet, it is God’s work and because it is God’s work we can be hopeful that it will be brought to completion, and that one day we will all be complete, and that we will reach, what that second reading calls, ‘the perfect goodness which Jesus Christ produces in us’.

The gospel reading this morning speaks of a voice crying in the wilderness, the voice of John the Baptist. His voice is a voice of hope, announcing the coming of the Lord through the wilderness and declaring that all flesh will see his salvation. The Lord is always present in our various wildernesses, working to bring light out of darkness and life out of death. Because of that good news, we are all called to be hopeful people, voices of hope in the wilderness.

And/Or

(v) Second Sunday of Advent

We are in a very dark time of the year. Light is at a premium, and we have yet to reach the shortest day of the year. In that growing darkness we have lit our Second Advent candle. The days may be getting shorter, but our Advent wreath is getting brighter. The growing brightness of our Advent wreath reminds us that we are drawing closer to the great feast of light, Christmas, when we celebrate the coming of the one who declared, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life’. The first letter of John in the New Testament makes two simple but profound statements about God, ‘God is light’ and ‘God is love’. It was with the birth of Jesus that the light of God’s love shone among us in a wonderful way. In today’s first reading, the prophet looks forward to a day when ‘God will guide Israel in joy by the light of his glory’. That day finally dawned with the birth of Jesus. In Advent we look forward to celebrating the dawning of that day when the light of God’s glory, God’s loving presence, shone among us in a strikingly new way.

It is because we have something so wonderful to look forward to that Advent is such a hopeful season. Hope is a vitally important Christian virtue. Hope is more than optimism. We can be optimistic about all kinds of things, but, strictly speaking, the object of hope is always God. Hope is rooted in faith. We are hopeful because we believe in a God who can bring life out of death and light out of darkness. It is above all in dark times that we need hope. As well as the dark days, the times have been dark recently. The Covid pandemic which has been with us for almost two years now has left people feeling that the world is a darker and more dangerous place. In these dark days and dark times, Advent, the season of hope, is very timely.

Today’s second reading is taken from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul wrote that letter out of a very dark situation. He was in a Roman prison somewhere. It is clear from the letter that he wasn’t certain that he would get out of prison alive. Yet, even though the situation in which Paul wrote that letter was dark and unpromising, the letter itself is one of the most hopeful and joyful documents in all of the New Testament. This letter of Paul shows us that it is possible to be full of hope in even the darkest of situations. In that letter Paul looks at life with hopeful eyes. When he thinks of the church in Philippi in that second reading, he things primarily of the good they have done. That church was no more perfect than any other church, but Paul chooses to celebrate the good that is there among them. He remembers with joy the ways they have helped to spread the good news from the days they first heard it right up to the present.

We can be tempted in dark times to look at everything and everyone with despondent eyes. Paul encourages us to look at life, and, especially, at people with hopeful eyes, even in dark times. To look at people with hopeful eyes is to be alert to all that is good in their lives and to celebrate that goodness. It is to name, to ourselves and to others, the good they have done more than the good they have failed to do. Paul expresses the hope in that reading that God who began this good work among the church in Philippi would one day bring it to completion. Paul was not only in tune with what was good in people’s lives, but he was also very aware of what they could yet become with God’s help. We need to look at ourselves, as well as others, with those kind of hopeful eyes. God has begun a good work in us, if we only have eyes to see it. We remain God’s good work in progress. In spite of our failings, God will keep on working to bring the good work he has begun in us to completion. God does ask us to co-operate with his ongoing work in our lives. Yet, it is primarily God’s work and because it is God’s work we can be hopeful that it will be brought to completion, and that one day we will reach, what Paul calls in that second reading, ‘the perfect goodness which Jesus Christ produces in us’. Attaining that ‘perfect goodness’ is our ultimate destiny beyond this earthly life, but we can move towards that destiny in this life with the Lord’s help.

Today’s gospel reading speaks of a voice crying in the wilderness, the voice of John the Baptist. His voice is a voice of hope, announcing the coming of the Lord through the wilderness and declaring that all flesh will see God’s salvation. The Lord is always coming into our lives to do his good work, including into our our own wilderness experiences. The Lord’s coming is assured; what’s asked of us is that we prepare the way, create a space, for his coming. This is Advent good news and it empowers us to be hopeful people.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

[lowcallyfruity]

M. MY BOYS?!?????

I. I LOVE THEM?!,?? IM GONNA CRY. GHEYRE SO CUTE. IM. OAIUFH. THIS IS SO SWEET. HEUEHALAHASJAKHASNKAHAABJAHABAJAHABAJAHAVABABAH <333 THIS IS SO LOVELY. DUDGSJABAVANAHAHHA 💖😭😭💖💕💕💖💖😭😭💖💕💕💖💖😭 THANK YOU SO MYXH IM. THIS IS SOSOSOSOSO UFHSJSHSHAJAHABBABABSBSBSBZH THIS HAS ME FANGIRLING AND TWEAKING OUT 💕💗💗💕💕💕😭💖💖💖💕💕💗💥💥💥💐💐💐💐💐💐💐 THANK YOU SO MHCH THIS USHSHAHAH

ITS FINALLY DONE

40 hours of work- just around 200 peoples ocs in the twst community (as such there may be some small mistakes on my end and sometimes i couldnt find refs with all the colors so i did my best!! Honestly im sorry if i missed you too even if its impossible for me to get every single person HFNDJXDHV)

Nothing can quite describe how welcomed ive felt in this community. I find myself always wanting to give back to my moots, followers, or even just other members in the community in general.

SOOO ive been slowly chipping away at this for the past few months. Consider this a gift! And uh, have fun finding your ocs/yuus-

Group photo tags pt1

@thehollowwriter Finn

@rizdoodls Andy

@sakuramidnight15 Hei-ran

@cruel-acid Iza

@raguiras Allen

@oya-oya-okay Yuu and Shishio

@tedearaminta Riona

@zjmaeve Zeth

@akemiozawa Charlotte

@twsted-princess Chimlim

@akihikosanadasboyfriend Yuuma

@tinisprout Yurelle

@valse-a-mille-temps Yuuven

@yaoyaobae Fran

@cosmonavo Gwen

@simpingseafood Sasha

@nuitthegoddess Aurelian and Hana

@cenpede Vitya

@tixdixl Oisín

@tartppola Yuu

@the-trinket-witch Albert and the janitor

@kenchann Yuu

@egophiliac Yuu

@raven-at-the-writing-desk Miss Raven

@adaven17 Yuu

@cecilebutcher Vesper and Igor

@miyuki-fenn Désiré and Mel

@polywoo Misdemeanor

@myuminji Yuu

@zvezdacito Micah

@citrus-c0la Oliver

@datboredpencil Mao

@prinxurie Zuzhou and Jiushu

@robo-milky Cloche

@starry-night-rose Ellis

@bloodiegawz Yuu

@artfulhero-m Aster

@justm3di0cr3 Emory and Poppy

@ai-kan1 Juno

@the-fridge-orange Elinor

@breadcheese444 Lily

@fumikomiyasaki Carol and Yuzuha

@ceruleancattail Cinder and Ceru

@ashipiko Ashi

@elektrosyntetik Anya

@veilofthorns Kissy

@terrovaniadorm Rhys and Ulrica

@midostree-art Yuu

@lanshappycorner Roseline

@midnightmah07 Daisy

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison. — Luke 3:1-20 | English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Cross References: Exodus 20:16; Exodus 23:1; Isaiah 30:24; Isaiah 40:3-4 and 5; Isaiah 42:16; Isaiah 58:7; Ezekiel 18:7; Ezekiel 33:24; Matthew 3:3; Matthew 3:5-6 and 7; Matthew 3:8-9; Matthew 3:11-12; Matthew 4:12; Matthew 7:19; Matthew 12:34; Matthew 14:1; Matthew 14:3; Matthew 14:6; Matthew 16:7; Matthew 21:32; Matthew 26:3; Mark 1:2-3; Mark 1:7-8; Mark 6:17; Mark 9:48; Luke 1:16; Luke 2:30; Luke 7:29; Luke 13:6-7; John 1:19-20; John 3:24; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 20:2; Romans 12:8

Read full chapter

What Is the Fruit That Befits Repentance?

[commander-gloryforge]

Saving Tyria all by yourself, Handsome?

Is your blorbo looking for a mate? Someone to love and smooch and all that? Or are you just looking for a bestie? Well, fear not, because I might have just the right buddy for YOUR guy!

Welcome to the... the! Theee... BLORBACHELOR?!?!?!?

I shall present to you a couple of my guys that are looking for relationships and you can go look at them, and then let me know if you'd think you have an OC that would match them! Again, can be romantic, or they can be besties, or maybe enemies, or anything inbetween! let's pair up some blorbos! let's talk about it! Enjoy!

LUNA - VESTA - RYE

BRUM - LUCIEN - LORELEI

RYUMI - LÉA - PRIMA

WRENNIH - BYUNGJOON - NAGISA

CYNORION - BO - HAOYU

more about all of them under the cut!

Luna Montenero pronouns: they/she sexuality: lesbian age (in the year of 1336): 30 preferences: Luna needs someone who values their intelligence, they want a person that knows to to speak up, that isn't a doormat, and isn't afraid to go against the grain. somebody that shares her interets in music would also be nice. about her: Luna grew up with her cousin Ambrose, who also happened to be her best and only friend. When she was 16, their mother took them away from the Wolf family and began raising her as a priest of Lyssa. After years of abuse within the church of Lyssa, she escaped with a bang, quite literally, and became the assistant of a mists researcher. Though they enjoy their job very much, things have gotten... lonely, lately.

Vesta Blazestrike pronouns: she/her sexuality: bisexual age: 37 preferences: she won't admit this, but she needs someone who's gentle, patient and calm. she needs time, and trust. about her: Vesta is violent, because she's never known how else to respond to unjustice. her sire was a smoke shaman, and she inherited some of his powers. among flame, she was hated for being a woman, and when she fled and joined the blood legion, she was hated for being flame. she was set up to be killed by her warband when they were sent on a mission, but Vesta ended up being the only one left alive. She's always been treated like dirt, for her magic, her tendency to fall mute whenever she is angry or overwhelmed, and now the fact that she's killed her own warband. if only there was 1 person to treat her right...

Darryean "Rye" pronouns: they/he sexuality: queer age: 9 preferences: Someone with an interest in fishing, and herding dolyaks, and herding skimmers, and herding raptors, or fishing... someone to see past his early year problems. about him: Rye was born shortly after Mordremoth woke, and was vulnerable to his call. they began turning into a mordrem but snapped out of it at last. When he was shunned by other sylvari that had watched his slow and rather short lived transformation, he decided to move to Elona instead and just. start fishin. start cowboying. nowadays he's travelling with their two (only) friends Rhea and Junko, and he is tasked to be their bands manager and only fan.

Brum Flausch pronouns: he/him sexuality: pansexual age: 40 preferences: Brum is t4t, but otherwise he has no preferences about him: Brum is just kind of a guy. He's a gladium after his warband kicked him out for being besties with a human, and then that human betrayed him, and now he's just kind of. chilling. alone. he does have a friend, Lysania, and she gave him the name "Flausch" after he split off from his warband. He's very kind, and also very big and strong :]

Lucien The Lost pronouns: he/him sexuality: i don't think he knows this age: he also doesn't know this preferences: I also don't think he has any about him: Lucien came crawling out of a cave one day and wandered into a camp of Dwayna's priests that swiftly took him in when he started blabbering about being a priest and having come back to serve his deity- except that he couldn't remember who exactly he was serving. after a couple of years of being kinda useless though, he started working for a particularly grumpy inquest asura. Lucien still doesn't know anything about his past, or what god has reawakened him, or if that god is ever going to come back, or when was the last time he lived, or why he has the quiet urge in the back of his head that tells him to destroy. hes fine tho dw

Lorelei Celestia pronouns: she/her sexuality: lesbian age: 28 preferences: every woman ever <;3 about her: Lorelei grew up in Lion's Arch. She was trained in an undergroud fight club when she was a teen, though that one shut down when a child literally exploded and opened a demonic portal in the process problems came up. Nowadays she's a roller beetle racer and general bad-guy-smasher, together with her asuran brother Vinzz, and her new wet hamster Ambrose.

Kang Ryumi pronouns: she/her sexuality: bisexual age: around 18 or 19, probably? preferences: someone that's free and rebellious, someone that shares her passion for music, someone that doesn't have a problem with presenting themselves to the world about her: Ryumi awoke somewhere in cantha, and stumbled into a little fishing village where she was taken in by two siblings that, just like her, were kind of outcasts. She had always loved music, and slowly worked herself up to become canthas biggest pop idol. she had planned to tour through all of tyria, until her label dropped her. now she's on her own, working on becoming properly independent.

Léandra "Léa" Rose Grey pronouns: he/she/they sexuality: bisexual age: 32 preferences: man. just anyone at this point. about them: Lèa's had a- complicated life. A bit too much to get into now. But I'll let you know that love has never ended well for Léa, having a onesided crush for years on the most pathetic man in Divinity's Reach, then being dumped by the literal commander, then having a onesided crush on his best friend. Maybe they've kinda given up by now. She's a contract killer nowadays, and quite lonely. They haven't seen their friends/ex guild members in a long time, and the only person he's been around in the past, what, four years, was her mentor. And that mentor isn't the best company, to be honest.

Prima Glittergore pronouns: she/her sexuality: asexual lesbian age: 29 preferences: strong, tall, sexy. about her: Prima technically was a head pact engineer, except that people didn't really listen to her as much as they should. Her work was often seen as over the top and not as practical- and to be clear, her inventions ARE very practical, but they're ALSO very stylish, and it's not her fault you're scared by a little bit of glitter. She's an incredible engineer with a love for pink, ribbons, rainbows and blood.

Wrennih "Wren" pronouns: he/him sexuality: lesbian age: 32 preferences: Wren would probbaly prefer to be with other asura, but aside from that he doesn't care a lot. about him: Wren used to be Inquest, but he doesn't talk about that a lot- they just happened to be the only one's to fund his fascination with time and space. he left after breaking up with his then girlfriend and decided to redeem himself by joining the pact during the fight against mordremoth. he still feels the need to help tyria in any way he can, though he does kind of miss the chances he had with the inquest and the research he was able to do there.

Song Byungjoon pronouns: he/him sexuality: bisexual age: 27 preferences: EVERYONE!!!! about him: Byungjoon is an outlaw, a gambler, a flirt, and most importantly: a large dumbass. He gets himself into trouble with every breath he takes. he's been travelling around the jade sea for a long while, and somehow, slowly, absorbed a suspicious amount of draconic energy. during his travels, he also met the one person that is willing to save his ass everytime he gets himself jailed again:

Nagisa Shadowshot pronouns: they/them sexuality: asexual lesbian age: 33 preferences: someone a little calmer and more responsible, to balance out their mess of a brother, but also someone thats willing to take the first step and apporach them about them: Formerly a shrine maiden near the harvest tample, Nagisa now travels cantha and beyond with Byungjoon. theyre swift, smart and deadly. Shadows surround them, certainly more than their own one. Thyr're hesitant to talk to new people and prefer to keep to themselves.

Cynorion "Cyno" pronouns: he/him sexuality: bisexual age: 30 preferences: someone that can ground him, that he can relax around. someone that is able to rest, someone that isn't chasing a big goal about him: Cyno is a Secondborn and has taken on many different roles in his life. he's been a mender, a guide to the newly awakened, has tried to be a healer, a warden- in the end, nothing he does ever feels right. he feels like he doesnt belong, doesnt have a purpose, the grove isnt his home, but neither is any other place in tyria. he really just wishes he could sit down with his animal companions and play his lute forever, somewhere in nowhere.

Bo pronouns: she/her sexuality: pansexual age: 23 preferences: someone who is willing to give her a lot of attention about her: Bo, or as she prefers to be called, Musical Genius Bo, is tyrias BEST music producer ever and ever, for real, like really. her tunes are so good and great and by the alchemy shes so fucking good at music. she can just feel it. she can feel the vibes and vibrations in the air and all. truth is, Bo's music is absolute dogshit, but shes a girl with a dream and one day she will produce even for people like Ryumi or something. shes freespirited and positive, and probably the definition of the word "girlypop".

Liang Haoyu pronouns: he/him sexuality: gay age: "25" preferences: a cultured person that appreciates good music and fashion and art, and maaaybe someone who doesnt mind blood and murder and being tenderly bitten about him: Haoyu is a diva, he's dramatic, he's artistic, he's an instrument maker and quite the performer. he has mastered nearly every instrument there is and once was, probably because he's had a lot of time on his hands to do so, having been "alive" since long before the jade winds destroyed his home. he's seen his friends and lovers come and go, come and go, come and go, and he's gotten used to it, but that doesnt mean that if he makes a connection, it's any less meaningful to him.

[mechanicalmechanism]

✝ 。𝐅ukase 〜 𝐈𝐃 𝐏ack

✝ 𝐍ames╰╮Achilles ﹐ Alias ﹐ Amren ﹐ Amrenne ﹐ Angustias ﹐ Amalgam ﹐ Bane ﹐ Carriaric ﹐ Ceto ﹐ Cirkus ﹐ Cirque ﹐ Consuo ﹐ Déformer ﹐ Dygsnio ﹐ Electica ﹐ Exxe ﹐ Frankenstein ﹐ Inconnue ﹐ Inconnu ﹐ Kaleido ﹐ Lysanias ﹐ Lysanie ﹐ Mal ﹐ Malfun ﹐ Maniaque ﹐ Manyk ﹐ Maximus ﹐ Meunster ﹐ Monstrum ﹐ Netvor ﹐ Nian ﹐ Oizys ﹐ Ollpheist ﹐ Patch ﹐ Patche ﹐ Pattche ﹐ Pausanias ﹐ Point ﹐ Pointe ﹐ Poppet ﹐ Poppette ﹐ Puntu ﹐ Rouge ﹐ Saxon ﹐ Serken ﹐ Serkenne ﹐ Sid ﹐ Sirkus ﹐ Steinne ﹐ Stein ﹐ Stytch ﹐ Syrcas ﹐ Victor ﹐ Vein ﹐ Veine ﹐ Venkat ﹐ X ﹐

✝ 𝐍eopronouns╰╮Byte / Bytes ﹐ Carni / Carnivals ﹐ Carnival / Carnivals ﹐ Circus / Circus' ﹐ Claw / Claws ﹐ Crims / Crimsons ﹐ Cyb / Cybers ﹐ Exe / Exes ﹐ Fang / Fangs ﹐ Deform / Deforms ﹐ Digi / Digis ﹐ Disturb / Disturbs ﹐ Doll / Dolls ﹐ Monst / Monsters ﹐ Muse / Musics ﹐ Patch / Patches ﹐ Patchwork / Patchworks ﹐ Preform / Preforms ﹐ Preformer / Performers ﹐ Red / Reds ﹐ Ro / Robos ﹐ Robo / Robots ﹐ Scarlet / Scarlets ﹐ Sin / Sins ﹐ Song / Songs ﹐ Stitch / Stitchs ﹐ Syn / Syns ﹐ Synth / Synths ﹐ Tatter / Tatters ﹐ Tune / Tunes ﹐ Vein / Veins ﹐ Vir / Virs ﹐ Vir / Virtuals ﹐ Voca / Vocas ﹐ Voca / Vocals ﹐ Vocaloid / Vocaloids ﹐ Web / Webs ﹐ Whimsy / Whimsys ﹐ X / Xs ﹐ ❌ / ❌s ﹐ 𝘅 / 𝘅s ﹐ 𝕏 / 𝕏s ﹐ ✖ / ✖s ﹐ 🎙 / 🎙s ﹐ 🎤 / 🎤s ﹐ ♪ / ♪s ﹐ ♫ / ♫s ﹐ 🥁 / 🥁s ﹐ 🎬 / 🎬s ﹐

✝ 𝐓itles╰╮Idol Born from Ashes ﹐ Brain Revolution Boy ﹐ Mechanical Idol ﹐ Circus Master of the Dark Woods ﹐ One - Shot Love Addict ﹐ Worry Boy ﹐ Monster Boy ﹐ Love - Seeking Idol ﹐ The Idol who Seeks Love ﹐ Love - Seeking Monster ﹐ The Idol of Dark Fantasy ﹐ Singer from the Broken World ﹐ He Who Draws the Curtains ﹐

* He , His , or Boy can be replaced with any pronoun or preferred term !

✝ 𝐌ogai╰╮Apobsessix ﹐ Crushmonboysongic ﹐ Darkvocaloidgender ﹐ Deathvocaloid ﹐ Demonidolic ﹐ Demonvocaloid ﹐ Digividolic ﹐ Frulumidolic ﹐ Fukalastic ﹐ HPDvocaloid ﹐ Id?l ﹐ Idolconcic ﹐ Idolgender ﹐ Idolrobogender ﹐ Idolvesi ﹐ Idolvirtual ﹐ Jestersongic ﹐ Loverboyvocaloid ﹐ Oilbukasegender ﹐ Paradichlorobenzeneical ﹐ Vocaloidgender ﹐ Vocatraucopic ﹐ Vocaloidvoiceic ﹐

[mayocs-dumpster]

BACKSTORY

[ Teivel is a sadistic psychopath who shows symptoms ever since he was young. He had issues maintaining friendships and respecting others when needed, but was never taken as seriously, only being considered an awful boy at maximum. Teivel, however, never seemed to care as much as his own father did, simply making new friends everytime he lost his current ones. He saw no point on being sad over them. ]

[ A big factor that made people stop talking to Teivel is how he pulled pranks on everyone he knew, light or not. Everytime it caused the victim to be humiliated, he was seen full of joy and without remorse. Lysanias scolded his son multiple times for it, but once again, he was not heard. Those 'pranks' were only getting more frequent, and quickly leaved his own social bubble, doing it to the ones he had never interacted with. At this rate, it was bullying. ]

[ The first time Lysanias got a message from the school, he never felt so disappointed in his life, and only got worse once he realized that Teivel was so nonchalant about. But he is not stupid. He did not wanted his father to be mad at him, and being a kid made him imagine what sort of consequences he would have to deal with, realistic or not. And he knew his father has been trying to help. So, Teivel hit him with the most honest answer possible. ]

[ Teivel finds it fun, and would do it again as soon as he came back to school, but was conscious that he shouldn't, how it hurts people. Lysanias was in denial for the first few seconds, but consequently snapped at Teivel's behaviour. He explicitly listed what would happen to him if his son decided not to cooperate, paying no mind to what he called 'Teivel trying to victimize himself'. ]

[ It made Teivel mad. He decided to be sincere, and was scolded anyway. This rage soon turned into arrogance or even narcissism, lashing out his frustrations on other people even more, this time not bothered with being atleast decent anymore. He slowly grew more comfortable, and was fully on a bully at his school. ]

[ It was on that time where Teivel met JJD, and managed to convince her onto joining him. It did not help at all, and they only got worse with time. As school was over, even with JJD not being allowed to see him, they always found their ways to meet again. And, when they didn't, Teivel kept being a nuisance to others, already being quite watched by cops. ]

[ And finally after a long time, both of them were caught red handed, being sent to the police station on the spot. Lysanias hesitated to help, already dealing with his son's behaviour for years now, but in the end, it was his son. However, Teivel refused. He was still pretty much a narcissistic and refused any help from him, being now officially arrested. ]

[ Wanting or not, Teivel was not mature enough to be there, thanks to his own sense of himself, not accepting the knowledge that other prisoners were much stronger and should not be played with. ]

[ As a result, Teivel decided to be funny with one of his 'colleagues', and in the next morning woke up bleeding on his own bed, barely breathing. He was stabbed three times, which was almost fatal and could have killed him on the spot. It felt like a sign for him to wake up to reality, to notice how he is not the only one in this world who's up to hurt others. How he's just another fucked up man in the middle of a bunch. ]

[ Teivel's personality did not change drastically, but he got more clever as the time passed. Instead of humiliating everyone, he focused on the most vulnerable, and tried to befriend his equals or even the ones superior to himself. ]

[ His tactics were still the same, even after he was freed, and then arrested again. Teivel adapted to the environment, and prison was no longer that bad. In fact he liked it, making some partners on the way; that he currently doesn't even remember the name of. He got into multiple fights, caused deaths, and definitely a lot of stress. It all forced him to be transferred to somewhere else, where it would be calmer and more controlled. ]

[ Teivel was sent to the 'Spooky Town'. There weren't as many cops in there and not as professionals, which some may say that it was on purpose. Teivel found it very disappointing, but at the same time, relaxed a little. Unfortunately, it would get boring for him sooner or later, and he already wanted freedom again. ]

[ One day, he eavesdropped Shotgun Man talking about JJD, and found out that this is the place she moved to. It only added gasoline to the fire. Teivel succeeded to escape by himself once, but was caught. Thanks to Crawler wandering around town at that time, it witnessed Teivel's attempt, and JJD now knew that her 'old best friend' was back. When she got some time, she 'rescued' him, this time getting him out of jail for real. ]

[ Teivel now explores the place by himself, visiting JJD's lab when nothing is available, or whenever he feels like spending some time with her. He is living his best life. ]

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

8th December >> Mass Readings (USA)

Second Sunday of Advent (C)

(Liturgical Colour: Violet. Year: C(I))

First Reading Baruch 5:1–9 Jerusalem, God will show your splendor.

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.

Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God. Led away on foot by their enemies they left you: but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones. For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God. The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God’s command; for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 126:1–2, 2–3, 4–5, 6

R/ The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.

R/ The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.

R/ The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

R/ The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.

R/ The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Second Reading Philippians 1:4–6, 8–11 Show yourselves pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Brothers and sisters: I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Luke 3:4, 6

Alleluia, alleluia. Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 3:1–6 All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[trialsinthelateromanrepublic]

trial of Lucius Valerius Flaccus

date: 59 BCE, by Sept.? charge: lex Cornelia de repetundis (misconduct as gov. Asia). defendant: L. Valerius Flaccus pr. 63, gov. Asia 62 advocates: Q. Hortensius Hortalus cos. 69 (ORF 92.XVIII) M. Tullius Cicero cos. 63 (Sch. 28) prosecutors: C. Appuleius Decianus (subscr.) Caetra, = ? C. Fannius Chaerea (subscr.) L. Cornelius Balbus praefectus fabrum 62, 61-60?, 59, cos. suff. 40 (subscr.) D. Laelius tr. pl. 54 (nom. del.) Lucceius (subscr.) praetor: T. Vettius Sabinus jurors: L. Licinius Lucullus cos. 74 L. Peducaeus pref.? 62, e.R. or trib. aer. Sex. (Peducaeus?) Stloga witnesses: L. Agrius Publeianus e.R. Asclepiades of Acmonia M. Aufidius Lurco sen. = ? (M. Aufidius?) Lurco tr. pl. 61 Q. Caecilius Metellus Creticus cos. 69 M. Caelius C. Cestius e.R. Cn. Domitius Calvinus tr. pl. 59, cos. 53, 40 L. Eppius e.R. Falcidius (not present, but mother there) Heraclides of Temnos Hermobius of Temnos Lysanias of Temnos Maeandrius of Tralles Mithridates of Dorylaion Nicomedes of Temnos Philippus of Temnos P. Septimius q., date uncertain P. Servilius Vatia Isauricus cos. 79, cens. 55 vicanus of Tmolus (Flac. 8) representatives of Achaea, Athens, Boeotia, Cyme, Dorylaion, Loryma, Massilia, Pergamum, Rhodes, Sparta, Thessalia other: two actiones

Cic. Flac.; Att. 2.25.1; Macr. 2.1.13; V. Max. 7.8.7; Schol. Bob. 93-108St

[maryturck]

Advent Riffs: Second Sunday of Advent 2024

This week’s Advent riff is late.  I am having difficulty finding any inspiration in the scripture readings. What I did find is Luke’s litany of leaders:  “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,and his brother Philip tetrarch of the regionof Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of…

[lowcallyfruity]

☝️ idk some doodles/mini drawings of my ocs twisted from Pain and Panic☝️☝️

[nijjhar]

Luke 3v1-6:- John, the Baptist was an Ideal Rabbi demonstrating to the o... Luke 3v1-6:- John, the Baptist was an Ideal Rabbi demonstrating to the other Rabbis of their duties. https://youtu.be/gajhrfcVB2o Holy Gospel of our SUPERNATURAL FATHER of our supernatural “souls” Elohim, Allah, ParBrahm, etc., delivered by the first Anointed Christ, which in my native language Punjabi, we call Satguru Jesus of the highest living God Elohim, Allah, Parbrahm, etc. that dwells within His most beautiful living Temple of God created by the greatest artist demiurge Potter, the lord of the visible Nature Yahweh, Brahma, Khudah, etc. and it is called Harmandir or “Emmanuel” if you are not “greedy” according to Saint Luke 3,1-6. In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high Priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God = Oral Torah that Christ Jesus came to deliver to everyone came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. That John, the Baptist left the family home according to the Saying of Matt 19v12:- For there are eunuchs who were born that way of the prostitutes and the temple dancing girls called “Dassies”, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others – these are the people who changed their tribal identity for greed or became religious fanatics such as Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, etc. of the physical appearances called “outwardly” and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs, the Sadhus do not carry their tribal identity after joining the Celestial World of Wilderness away from the grip of the moral teachers such as the naked Sadhus in India for the sake of the kingdom of heaven – Matt 13v52. The one who can accept this should accept it.” He went throughout (the) whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a Baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins that they had committed by becoming Jew outwardly of appearances and not of the heart “inwardly”, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one crying out in the desert, a FREE Man not under the Temple High Priest as the Cohen Zachariah was and he was killed by the Temple High Priest for disobeying him: 'Prepare the way of the Lord of the Sabbath Christ Jesus, make straight his paths – BE HONEST AND TRUTHFUL. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low, HUMBLE as the Gate to the Royal Kingdom of God is low and Narrow for the solitary. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth free of hypocrisy, and all flesh, the tribal people sons of Man shall see the salvation of God by enjoying the Company of Apostles like Sadhu Melchizedek.'" I can tell much more in my FREE seminars. English and Hitler killed the sinner outwardly Anti-Semitic Jews unfaithful to Abraham and Yahweh, the "Tares" - Matt 13v24-30. Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, etc. have no right to live on this planet earth that belongs to the tribal sons of Adam https://youtu.be/0rRZvoG3KZc Punjabi - Our Qom is SIRF JATT; Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, etc. are just changeable "Shirts"; ways of life https://youtu.be/Bikb2ZNJdWw PAGRRI SANBHAAL JATTA https://youtu.be/gSwPvK3B4rg BE TRUTHFUL, CONTENTED (HAQ HALLAL) AND MERCIFUL = FULL EEMAN = MUSSALLMAN = GURMUKH SIKH. https://youtu.be/7VmQG3ew19E Punjabi - Ch. Saddam Hussein Khokhar was a Jatt of the same Calibre as our Ch. Chhotu Ram Ohlyan Jat https://youtu.be/XAb1fhT3Mqk http://www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/UnitedJatts.htm Punjabi - Taliban - Al-Djmar Al-Aksa is best defeated by the tribal sons of Man and not by the guns. https://youtu.be/1dDW3SapKWE NAHI TO LALLON NAE AAP KAA DAMM BANDH KRNA HAE; KALI JHANDI LAGWA DO LALLON KAE. Video in Punjabi:- https://youtu.be/QJLnbgoMMkM     http://www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/Chhotu.pdf Playlist for our Jatt Unity:-  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0C8AFaJhsWwfWhnrV1UKKbBJNCbYjqI3 Why did you vote for parties other than your own tribal Party Jatt? Your http://www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/Riots.htm Kabah is the Temple of Shiv nothing to do with Allah. Punjabi - No son of Brahma, a Hindu, no son of Parbrahm, a Sikh but Shankar Varniyia Super Bastard Fanatic Devil, a TERRORIST. https://youtu.be/PMMG99nMANk Bhagat Namdev Ji: A Hindu is spiritually blind, Munn Mukh Sikh, Turkoo, is very crafty, while Gurmukh Sikh, Giani, is sealed to serve God wiser than both. https://youtu.be/GDqOcARj4Po Punjabi - Satguru Angad Dev Ji was the "Kiln" where the Mitti Mussallman ki, sons of Man were baked. Or their " Ego " was burnt, making them the most humble Bhagats. https://youtu.be/aMBUhvacOAw WHY TEN LIGHTS? Nanak wasn't a Moral Teacher, a Brahmin Guru but Satguru = Christ of the highest order that Preaches the Gospel to one's mind, Munn, Nafs, etc. https://youtu.be/HquVBRjtXF8 www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/tenlight.htm John's baptism:- www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/johnsig.pdf

[biblebloodhound]

Second Sunday of Advent - Prepare the Way (Luke 3:1-6)

We remember at this time of year that God does not remain distant, but entered our time and space at a particular moment in history, for a distinct purpose.

The Call from John the Baptist to Repent, by Renier de Huy, 12th century In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of…

[catolinewsdailyreadings]

Second Sunday of Advent

Readings of Sunday, December 8, 2024

Reading 1

BAR 5:1-9

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.

Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God. Led away on foot by their enemies they left you: but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones. For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God. The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God’s command; for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company..

Responsorial Psalm

PS 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6.

R./ The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.  R./ The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.  R./ The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.  R./ The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. R./ The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Reading 2

PHIL 1:4-6, 8-11

Brothers and sisters: I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you,  because of your partnership for the gospel  from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it  until the day of Christ Jesus. God is my witness,  how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more  in knowledge and every kind of perception,  to discern what is of value,  so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness  that comes through Jesus Christ  for the glory and praise of God.

Gospel

LK 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,  when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,  and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis,  and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,  during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,  the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,  proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,  as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”

7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,

the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat,

the son of Levi, the son of Melki,

the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos,

the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,

the son of Naggai,

26 the son of Maath,

the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein,

the son of Josek, the son of Joda,

27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa,

the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel,

the son of Neri,

28 the son of Melki,

the son of Addi, the son of Cosam,

the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,

29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer,

the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,

the son of Levi,

30 the son of Simeon,

the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,

the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna,

the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,

the son of David,

32 the son of Jesse,

the son of Obed, the son of Boaz,

the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram,

the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,

the son of Judah,

34 the son of Jacob,

the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,

the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu,

the son of Peleg, the son of Eber,

the son of Shelah,

36 the son of Cainan,

the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem,

the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch,

the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel,

the son of Kenan,

38 the son of Enosh,

the son of Seth, the son of Adam,

the son of God.