The Second Sunday of Advent, Year B

Here at the beginning of Mark’s Gospel we discover, not the manger scene, but the meaning of a gospel as proclamation, and the importance of the titles “Christ” and “Son of God.”  Mark reminds us that gospel originally meant “good news.” Christianity did not begin with a new book. Its Scripture was that of the Jewish people. Christianity began with a “new message” about what God known through that Scripture had done in Jesus Christ. The good news itself is a simple message of salvation in Jesus.

At the beginning of a new Liturgical Year, it is good to be reminded that Advent is a season of preparation and trust that the good news, the gospel, has begun in the promises of God, taken form and shape in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, and will come to fruition in the second coming of our Lord and Savior.

There is a lot more to this gospel. Sit with it for a moment on the back porch.

Full Text of the Sunday Readings

Detailed Commentary on the Gospel

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