Bible Study
Bible Study
Matt Zemanek
Fr. Geoffrey Plant
Fr. Bryan Kulawa
Word
Sunday
Word-Sunday
by Larry Broding
1st Reading: Lament Song
2nd Reading: The Power of God’s Gift
Gospel: Be Prepared!
Imagine a general amnesty for all prisoners in the United States. While that thought might scare us, there would be joy in many quarters. Fathers would see their families. Sons would see their parents. Heroes would return to their communities. Many lost in the system would see hope in freedom. The impact of such an amnesty was felt by the Jews when they heard the words of Second Isaiah.
The beginning of Second Isaiah presented a scene of divine command and the announcement of a town crier. God pronounced a nation-wide forgiveness and the crier announced the return of the exiles. [40:1-5] The joy of such an announcement must have accompanied the fall of Babylon to Cyrus and the Persian army in 539 B.C. A year later, the Persian ruler enacted an edict of return for the Jews in the Diaspora. They were to rebuild Jerusalem and restore the Temple.
The changing events justified the loyalty of the exiles to their God. Now YHWH could display his power, even through a foreign king. The Jewish nation could once again rally around their God. They could once again show a religious and patriotic pride. YHWH saved them! [40:9-11]
Freedom from bondage implicitly means return. Pardon from sin means return to God. As we wait for the coming of the Lord at Christmas, let us remember the words of Isaiah and their echo in the preaching of John the Baptist. Metanoia, repentance, means turn away from self-centered pursuits. And turning towards the Almighty.
SOURCE: Word-Sunday Permission for use. All materials are the property of Larry Broding (Copyright 1999-2022). Viewers may copy any material for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.
The thought of the Second Coming provokes fear in many people. Some fear out of guilt. Some fear they have not done enough. Some fear God’s wrath will consume them. After all, doesn’t the Bible predict a reign of fire and destruction at the End?
These visions of fiery judgment sometimes overshadow Scripture’s intent, like those found in 2 Peter. To be sure, 2 Peter did announce God’s judgment in stark terms. But, a closer look reveals a greater sweep. God’s judgment leads to a better existence. The destruction of the rebellious angels, the people swept away in the Noah story, and the fiery end to the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah led to better world (see 2 Peter 2:4-8). So will the coming judgment. [3:13] Indeed, God judged the world in the beginning of time with water (the Noah story). He will judge the world with fire at the end of time. [3:10, 12] Notice the symmetry of the judgment at the beginning and the end of time. Also, notice that the instruments of judgment (the “elements” of water and fire) will also be destroyed.
The author of 2 Peter used such stark images to make a point. In the Christian mind, God’s will is constant, not the world. The author railed against those who assumed the delay in the Lord’s coming meant this core Christian belief could be ejected (see 3:4). He also rejected those who focused on freedom from judgment as a sign that “anything goes” (including sexual promiscuity; see 2:18-19). These people made the mistaken assumption that the world was stable and unchanging. But, since the world would pass away, according to the author’s logic, Christians should live as if the end were already here! [3:14]
The famous mathematician and Christian thinker, Pascal, made everyone a wager. “Live as if you would see God in the end,” the wager went. “If you see God, your faith has been justified. If not, you have lost nothing.” The author of 2 Peter would agree with that challenge. Live for God’s tomorrow. That way, you can live in peace, no matter the outcome.
SOURCE: Word-Sunday Permission for use. All materials are the property of Larry Broding (Copyright 1999-2022). Viewers may copy any material for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.
Bible Study
Videos
Fr. Bryan Kujawa
Click on image to view Fr. Bryan’s playlist. Each week he posts three videos. You can switch between them by clicking on the upper right hand corner once video starts playing.
SOURCE: Fr. Bryan Kujawa’s Archives
Gospel
Key Points
Explanation
Illustration
Application
Point 1: John the Baptist prepares the way for the Messiah
Explanation: In the opening verse of Mark, we see the declaration that Jesus is the Son of God. This is a powerful statement that sets the foundation for the rest of the Gospel. We also see the introduction of John the Baptist, who fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 40:3 of preparing the way for the Lord.
Illustration: Imagine a road trip where you are the designated navigator. It is your job to make sure that the way is clear and prepare the path for the driver. In the same way, John the Baptist was given the task to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.
Application: What do we need to do to prepare the way for the Lord in our lives? We can start by clearing out any obstacles or distractions that may hinder our relationship with Him. We can also continuously point others to Jesus and spread the good news of salvation.
Point 2: John’s message of repentance
Explanation: In verses 4-5, we see John preaching a message of repentance in the wilderness. He urged people to confess their sins and be baptized as a symbol of their repentance. This shows the importance of acknowledging and turning away from our sins before we can truly receive the Lord.
Illustration: Imagine assembling a puzzle and realizing that a few pieces are in the wrong place. To complete the puzzle, those pieces must be removed and put in their proper place. In the same way, repentance involves recognizing and removing the sinful pieces in our lives so we can be fully restored.
Application: Are there any hidden or unconfessed sins in our lives? Let us not delay in confessing and turning away from them. As we prepare for the coming of the Lord, may we do so with a repentant heart, seeking His forgiveness and grace.
Point 3: Baptism of Jesus
Explanation: In verse 8, we see John’s recognition that he baptizes with water, but the one who is coming will baptize with the Holy Spirit. This foreshadows the baptism of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Illustration: Imagine holding onto a deflated balloon. It has the potential to float and expand, but it needs to be filled with air to do so. In the same way, our lives may seem empty and lacking, but when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we are filled with the power and presence of God, equipping us for His purpose.
Application: As we prepare our hearts and lives for the coming of the Lord, let us also pray for a baptism of the Holy Spirit. May we be filled to overflowing with His love, joy, peace, and power.
Bulletin
Study Guide
Questions for
Small Groups
Discussion Questions
Vince Contreras
1. In the 1st Reading, what is coming to an end for God’s people? How are they to prepare for what’s coming? What will it look like when it finally arrives?
2. In the 2nd Reading, what attitude does St. Peter advise us to have while awaiting the return of Jesus? With what does he say we should occupy ourselves during this time?
3. What does Mark (and the Church) mean by “the gospel [good news] of Jesus Christ” (Mk 1:1)? How would you explain the basic message to someone who asked?
4. What do the contexts of the quotes in Mk 1:2-3 (Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3; Exodus 23:20) teach about the “coming one”?
5. Why is John the Baptist’s message so popular with the crowds (Mk 1:4-5)? What does the Church teach about John (CCC 717—720)?
6. Given John’s message (Mk 1:7-8) what type of person are the crowds anticipating (see Isaiah 32:15-20)?
7. What from your life illustrates what it means to “repent”? What can you do (or not do) to prepare for the Lord’s coming and to make this a more fruitful Advent?
8. John the Baptist prepared “the way of the Lord” (Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3). Who prepared the way of the Lord in your life?
SOURCE: SundayScriptureStudy.com / used with permission
Fr. Frank Bird, SM
1. Isaiah chapters 40-55 are known as the ‘Book of Comfort’. The prophet is speaking encouraging words to the exiles as they return home and seek to rebuild their lives and the Temple in
Jerusalem. Isaiah is also known as the ‘carrier of the hope of the Messiah’. Foretelling a time when God will come among his people. Can you see the prediction of John the Baptist and Jesus in the reading from Isaiah? What image speaks personally to you on your advent journey?
2. The preparation of a straight road or a royal highway was known to happen in ancient times when a very special person was to visit. Physically, valleys were filled and hills were lowered to make the way smooth and easy. At great expense! As Advent invites us to make a clear pathway for the Lord, what roadblocks, ditches, hills require the earthmoving equipment of prayer, spiritual direction, reconciliation?
3. The 2nd Letter of Peter is regarded as possibly the latest of the New Testament Letters. Obviously they are concerned with the delay of Jesus. Peter teaches God’s final judgement is not based upon human calendars. While Peter uses the popular belief of the time of a final ‘fire’ at the end of time, he also emphasises the need for good behaviour and ‘righteousness’ (whereas gnostics did not consider there would be a future judgment and therefore immorality was irrelevant). Would Christ’s coming find you ‘eager to be found without spot’? At peace? What is the source of your ‘dis-ease’?
4. Today we hear the beginning of the Gospel of Mark. The Gospel we will listen to for the rest of the Year. Mark immediately shares the ‘secret’ in the first line. We are about to hear ‘gospel’ (good news about a victory battle over evil) done by Jesus Christ. He is the one who reveals by words, actions of power, that he has all the attributes of God = Son of God. Is your interest raised? Consider spending a few hours to read Mark (the shortest gospel) for Advent.
5. To announce a figure of such great importance requires a voice to ‘proclaim’ the imminent arrival. This is the role of John the Baptist. Significantly John does this at the Jordan river (at the same crossing point Israel left the desert and entered the Promised Land). A new rescuing by God is taking place. John is painted to be like the great prophet Elijah who was to return to prepare for the ‘great day of the Lord’. Who has been a holy witness and ‘prophet’ like John the Baptist for your journey? Who could you be a holy witness for this advent calling them back to God?
SOURCE: Living the Word resources are created by Fr Frank Bird a Marist priest and Mrs Bev McDonald, ACSD, distributed by Marist Laity Auckland, NZ
Anne Osdieck
1. Left to human management, world history can seem to be a wasteland or at best a rough road. What are the “wasteland” aspects of it right now? What can you do to help smooth out this “rough road”?
2. The 2nd reading says that the Lord “is patient with you.” Granting this, are you patient with others? For instance, how do you react when a car cuts you off, or you are blamed falsely? Is there a line between holy anger and patience? Are you patient with yourself?
3. How do you share John the Baptist’s mission to proclaim Christ’s coming into the world? Do you do this with words or by the way you live? How is John’s message of repentance and judgment different from Jesus’ message?
SOURCE: Sunday Web Site at Saint Louis University
Fr. Clement
Thibodeau
1. From what you know of the spiritual condition of the people to whom John addressed his message, do you see any similarities with the people of the world in which we live today? Do we, too, need the transforming hand of God to touch us for a renewal and a new life in the Spirit? What are some of our needs that only God can supply? What would repentance mean, concretely, for the people of this culture and this way of life in America?
2. Who are the “messengers” from God who are preparing the way of the Lord today? Are there any at all? What is their message? How can we tell they are truly speaking for God? Is the Church willing to hear those messengers today? Are the people of secular society inclined to hear God’s messengers? Do you think that the New Age Movement might really be based on a misguided thirst for spirituality? Why such an interest in angels among people with no particular religious background? Aren’t angels really divine messengers in the first place?
3. What obstacles are there in our experience of the Church and its ministry that tend to obscure the face of Jesus and make us hesitate before we give ourselves over entirely to his care? Do you remember how Pope Saint John XXIII, 55 years ago, called for a renewal of the Church so that the “face of Jesus might be more clearly seen” in the lives of the Church’s members? Has anything happened to make it so in these 55 years? Are we now more overtly portraying the image of Christ without sinful distortions? How could we do better?
Christian Action
Select a small project of Christian service to the poor that your group might be able to accomplish before Christmas.
SOURCE: Portland Diocese
Fr. Eamon Tobin
Not Available
DOWNLOAD PDF – Commentary Not Available
SOURCE: Ascension Catholic Parish, Melbourne, FL
Word of
The Week
2nd Sunday of Advent B
SOURCE: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, Copyright © 2023 www.scu.edu/character
Kay
Murdy
Kay Murdy
Together with God’s Word
2nd Sunday of Advent B
KEY VERSE: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way” (Mark 1:2).
TO KNOW: The Gospel of Mark begins with the powerful announcement that his Gospel’s central character is Jesus Christ. “Jesus” is his name, and “Christ” is his title. The Christ, the Messiah: “Mashiach” in Hebrew, “Christos” in Greek. They both mean “the Anointed One,” which was a messianic title. Moreover, Jesus is the Son of God. Only at the end of his gospel does another person give Jesus that title, the centurion at the cross (Mk 15:39). Unlike Matthew and Luke, Mark tells nothing of the infancy of Jesus. Instead, he introduces us to the adult Jesus through his forerunner, John the Baptist. John proclaims the good news that the Messiah, the Christ (the “anointed one”), was coming to save his people. John was the “new Elijah” who prepared the people for the arrival of the “Day of the Lord” (Mal 3:1, 23). Like the great prophet, John appeared in the desert proclaiming a message of repentance. John realized that his role was that of a lowly herald of the glad tidings; he himself was not the message. John was a humble servant unworthy of untying the sandals of his master. His baptism of water was for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus was “one more powerful.” He would baptize with the purifying grace of the Holy Spirit.
TO LOVE: Am I willing to be a servant to God’s people?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to proclaim the good news of your coming.
SOURCE: Together With God’s Word: Commentaries on the Gospel by Kay Murray / Used with permission.