The Word today, Advent2A
- Admin
- Dec 6, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
December 08 - December 13, 2025
Immaculate Conception of the BVM
Genesis 3:9-15, 20 The early stories in Genesis explore common human experiences , including sin, shame and the “outsourcing” of blame! All very human, of course. The serpent symbolizes something more sinister—the power of sin, against which we need the grace of God.
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-2 The great hymn from Ephesians explores God’s grace in Christ, thus inviting us to engagement gratitude. Luke 1:26-38 Mary’s yes is in contrast to the “no” of Adam and Eve...and all the rest of us of course! It is great to hear again that “nothing is impossible for God.”
St Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
Isaiah 40:1-11 Powerful images in this reading should awaken a deep longing in our hearts. Let us come again to the great shepherd of our souls, holding us and leading us in all circumstances.
Matthew 18:12-14 The parable of the lost sheep makes a direct link with Isaiah. Of course, the ninety-nine who don’t stray at all also don’t really exist! We are, all of us, lost sheep and in need of guidance.
Our Lady of Loreto
Isaiah 40:25-31 At times we think God is so remote and we are so insignificant. This reading “corrects” that impression. Our great transcendent God is ever near, nearer to us than we are to ourselves (attributed to St Augustine).
Matthew 11:28-30 Just how near our God is to us is disclosed in Jesus. He is able to help us because he is like us, as the letter to the Hebrews teaches.
St Damasus 1, bishop of Rome
Isaiah 41:13-20 The opening line of this poem gives the key to the rest: Do not be afraid. The reading goes on to explore such deep trust using several metaphors: harvesting, drought and barrenness.
Matthew 11:11-15 So, who really was John the Baptist? In Jesus’ estimation, John was the greatest of the old dispensation. In orthodox tradition he is called the forerunner, the prodromos. Yet even he falls into the second rank compared with the least in the kingdom of heaven!
Our Lady of Guadalupe; St Finian, bishop
Isaiah 48:17-19 Our reading has a double edge. On the one hand, it explains why the great Exile took place. On the other, it holds out a new offer of salvation. Perhaps I need to hear these warning words: If only you had been alert to my commands.
Matthew 11:16-19 The waywardness of children is familiar and they can be hard to please. So can we all, of course, as we “protect” ourselves from the challenge of the encounter with Christ.
St Lucy, virgin and martyr
Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4, 9-12 John the Baptist was portrayed as an Elijah-type figure. Today we hear a much later appreciation of the great Elijah himself. In the Bible, Elijah is a touch character and so the very last line of this reading may surprise.
Matthew 17:10-13 Elijah comes up again in the Gospel. John the Baptist is portrayed as an Elijah-type figure and in Matthew’s Gospel this identification is resoundingly affirmed. According to biblical tradition, it means the end times have come and the messiah is about to be ushered in.
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025cy, December 7). Second Sunday of Advent. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120725.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings
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