LENTEN RECOLLECTION

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Introduction

December 4, 2022

Good noon/afternoon, brothers and sisters in Christ! We are now in the Second Sunday of Advent.

The first reading is from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. It depicts the lineage of David as a "shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom."

The second reading is from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Romans. It is written, "Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.

The Gospel is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. John the Baptist calls us to prepare the way of the Lord in a way of repentance for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.. 

With joyful hearts, let us all stand to begin the Holy Eucharist.

FIRST READING

Is. 11:1-10

He shall judge the poor with justice.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.

The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.

Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted.

He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them.

The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox.

The baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair.

There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea.

On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Ps 72:1-2, 7-8. 12-13, 17

R. (cf. 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king's son; he shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.

May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain.

In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

SECOND READING

Rom. 15:4-9

Christ saves everyone.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

Brothers and sisters:

Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.

For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

As it is written:

Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Mt. 3:1-12

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 3:1-12

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."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Prayers of the Faithful:

December 4, 2022

Priest: Let us offer to God our Father all our petitions as we prepare ourselves for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. In every pray, we say: FATHER, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.

1. That the Spirit of knowledge may guide the Church especially our Holy Father Pope Francis, Bishops, and Priests as they prepare for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

2. That the Spirit of wisdom may encourage the civil leaders to serve the people and lead them with justice and peace for the common good. Let us pray to the Lord.

3. That the Spirit of love may touch the hearts of the faithful and experience its genuineness in every little way. Let us pray to the Lord.

4. That the Spirit of comfort may strengthen the elderly, the sick and the dying. Let us pray to the Lord.

5. That the faithful who praise and thank God especially _____________ may experience peace and harmony in Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

6. That the Spirit of hope will be with our brothers and sisters who have gone ahead of us especially ________ find eternal rest in heaven. Let us pray to the Lord.

Priest: Merciful Father, with humble hearts, we have offered to you all our petitions through Christ our Lord. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENT

November 27, 2022

1. This coming December 8, 2022 is the celebration of the 63rd Parochial Fiesta with our Patron the Immaculate Conception. Our 9 days Novena will start on November 29, 2022, Tuesday at 5:45 in the morning and followed by a Holy Mass at 6:00 o'clock in the morning. All are invited to attend. For more details about the Fiesta Activities please visit the parish office or read the announcement to posted at the entrance of the church.

2. The St. John the Baptist Parish, at Lasang, Davao City together with their parish priest, Fr. Jovil Bongay, initiated a Fundraising Raffle Draw for the benefit of their on-going church renovation. The tickets are available at the ICP office and sold at 30 pesos per ticket. The grand raffle draw will be on December 30, 2022.

Thank you very much.