Mark 1:1-8 - Second Sunday of Advent (December 7, 2014)

Gospel:

The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.  A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’ ”

John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on

locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Gospel Trivia:

The gospel describes how John the Baptist is the one tasked to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah.  The following notes will help us better appreciate the depth of this message:

- John is the harbinger of the "gospel" or of "very good news".  Note that the word "gospel" was not used to refer to a book in the bible until much later, around 150 AD.  "Gospel" referred to extraordinary good news such as, a victory in battle, the birth of a child of very important parents, or the enthronement of a king.  John is paving the way for the preaching ministry of Jesus.

- John hails from the desert.  The desert has a theological significance in the bible -- note that Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert, the Israelites wandered for 400 years in the desert.  The desert is believed to be where God reveals himself.  (Modern contemplatives would have their retreats, or sometimes spend the rest of their lives, in a desert monastery because the absence of anything else forces them to focus on God).

- John baptizes a baptism of repentance.  Christians did not start the practice of baptism.  Washing with water was done even in Old Testament times and by other religions.  Washing with water refers to removing ritual impurity; total immersion was practice by Judaism as a ritual requirement prior to joining the community.  But John's baptism was different: it was offered to all or anyone willing to convert, it was conferred by him personally, and was presented as a preparation for the Messiah.  The baptism of repentance referred to conversion, a radical change in heart.

- Finally, John appeared like he came from the desert (wearing camel's hair and a leather belt).  He appeared just like Elijah who is expected to be a forerunner of the Messiah.

We prepare for Christmas, not by completing our Christmas list, but by following John's message: we reflect on our lives, repent for our sins, so we can more meaningfully encounter Jesus on the day of his birth. 


Reference:


- Nil Guillemette, SJ, Parables for Today (Makati: St. Paul's Publications, 1987), pp. 3 - 6.