Second Sunday of Advent

Today the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Advent. The assigned readings are Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-9, and Matthew 3:1-12. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 72 (Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: 0:28 / 4:01 Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 72 "Justice shall flourish in His time, and fullness of peace forever"

The Gospel reading is as follows:

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: "A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit  will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor  and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sunday Reflections: Second Sunday of Advent (December 8, 2019)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Second Sunday of Advent (December 8, 2019)

Community in Mission: A Prophet Who Prepares (7 DEC 19)

Crossroads Initiative: Advent of Peace - Fast before the Feast

The Sacred Page: The Jesse Tree and John the Baptist (The Mass Readings Explained) (2 DEC 19)

St. Paul Center: Kingdom Come: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Second Sunday in Advent

Word on Fire: The Messiah's Work (Cycle A * Advent * Week 2)

National Catholic Register: Sunday Guide: Watering Our Interior Deserts for the Root of Jesse (6 DEC 19)

Spirituality of the Readings: Gifts (Second Sunday of Advent A)

In Exile: The God Who is Revealed in Christmas (Second Sunday of Advent A)

Glancing Thoughts: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Second Sunday of Advent A)

The Perspective of Justice: Root Causes (Second Sunday of Advent A)

Let the Scriptures Speak: The Winnower (Second Sunday of Advent A)

The Word Engaged: Entrance Rites (Second Sunday of Advent A)

Historical Cultural Context: John the Dipper (Second Sunday of Advent A)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Augustine (Second Sunday of Advent A)