Today is Gaudete Sunday. This means rejoice and is reflected in the prayers and readings of the day. To name just a few. The opening prayer encourages us to await the Lord’s birth:
to attain the joys of so great a salvation
and to celebrate them always
with solemn worship and glad rejoicing.
The first line of the first reading in today’s Mass from Zephaniah reads:
Shout for Joy, O daughter Zion;
Sing joyfully O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The first part of today’s gospel is far from riveting. A list of obscure Roman officials and a Jewish priest is not as compelling as the ministry of John the Baptist. Yet it is extremely important, and it is necessary for us to examine it closely because it tells us that Luke is writing a history of a Jewish prophet, indeed 2 prophets.
He first outlines the political geography of Jesus’ world, noting the date through the reign of the emperor and the emperor’s representative in every place that affected Jesus. He then adds the current local religious leader. This is critical. He does not begin with “once upon a time” or “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away”. Luke is writing history and we must read his gospel and the acts of the apostles accordingly.
This is not a myth or legend which may give us a window into truth such as the first chapters of the book of Genesis. It tells the story of a real person, Jesus, who lived at a certain place, Judea and Galilee, who preached a message, the coming of the kingdom of God, and who was killed for this teaching. Should any of these not be factual, then Luke is either a dupe or a liar. His concept of writing history would not be the same as ours. The speeches for instance will all sound the same, because he will make them conform to certain rules. They are not verbatim, and would not be expected to be. But his audience knew what was important and could not be made up for any reason. His immediate audience would have especially understood that if Jesus did not literally die and rise this book is meaningless at best and malicious at worst.
Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the Second Reading Second Sunday of Advent Philippians 1:4–6, 8–11 December 5, 2021
The second week of Advent begins today. As we saw last week Advent is divided into two parts, the first which extends from the first Sunday of Advent until December 16 awaits the return of Jesus in glory, the second part which goes from Dec 17 to Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. Both the prayers and the readings for the Masses of the day revolve around these themes. We are still in “Early Advent” and the Collect—opening prayer—of the Mass is:
Almighty and merciful God,
may no earthly undertaking hinder those
who set out in haste to meet your Son,
but may our learning of heavenly wisdom
gain us admittance to his company.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
These are the preoccupations of Early Advent. The church reminds us that our lives must be directed to meeting the Lord should he come in our lifetimes but that earthly concerns may hinder us from grasping the necessary knowledge for the task. Our reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians examines and expands on this insight. Continue reading “Second Sunday of Advent – Giving Glory to God”→
On Sunday, December 5, 2021, join us in person or online for the 2nd Sunday of Advent.
Our current Mass times are:
9 AM EST – Morning Mass – in person
11:15 AM EST – Community Mass – in person and livestreamed online
7 PM EST – Evening Mass – in person
Watch the video live or on replay via YouTube Live by clicking in the window above. Subscribe to our YouTube channel atyoutube.com/stcharlesbklyn .
The readings will be from Cycle C.
Entrance: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns – 414
Readigs and Responsorial Psalm – 996
Offertory: Christ, Be Our Light! – 590
Communion: Ready the Way
Closing: Sing Out, Earth and Skies! – 577
The Gather 3rd Edition Hymnal/Missals are available for use in the church – pick one up as you enter and return it after Mass. Instructions on how to use the hymnal missal are available here: https://www.stcharlesbklyn.org/hymnal-missal/ .
Today’s readings are also available to read online at the USCCB website https://bible.usccb.org .
Please follow the instructions of the ushers, and observe all of the posted health precautions so that we can continue to worship together safely.
Advent is an unexpected and unwanted liturgical season. Yet, although no early Christian would have created Advent it is necessary, helpful, and potentially joyful. Let us look at why.
Advent means coming. It is often assumed that this is the coming of Jesus at his birth. This is less than half correct. Most of the prayers and readings for Advent are directed to Jesus’ return. Advent is divided into two sections “Early Advent” which extends from today to Dec 16th. Here, the attention is clearly on the Jesus’ return and the establishment of the Kingdom. As you have probably noticed, the Sunday readings for the last two weeks have also dwelt with this theme. The Nativity is emphasized only from the 17th to the 25th of December. We are clearly being called to look at and for the return of Jesus.
