Parent Teacher Talk



2nd Sunday of Advent

December 10, 2023



Gospel of Mark

Mk 1:1-8



A Reading from the Book of Prophet Isaiah

Is 40:1-5,9-11

In beautiful poetic language, the prophet tells the exiles in Babylon who were desperately waiting for freedom.: Have hope! God will step in and lead you out of this hopeless situation back home! Notice God's tender love: "Like a shepherd he feeds his flock."

What do we learn as God's word from this ancient piece of poetry? It could be: God cares! Your guilt is expiated. "Here comes with power the Lord God." Whatever your problems in life may be, you can have a happy Christmas and celebrate "Emmanuel-- God with us."

Make the Responsorial Psalm your prayer of today: "Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation."

The Responsorial Psalm is that that we put our trust in Jesus because of his love and kindness and that he has done great things for us, so we should be filled with joy and love for him and thoro be like him.

in your self-giving. He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The Lord hears the cry of the poor!

A Reading, From the Second Letter of Saint Peter

2Pt 3:8-14

The author uses the familiar imagery of the Bible ( a roar, fire, flames, a meltdown) to describe the awesome event of Christ's coming in judgment. Remember, God's timetable is not ours. God can call you at any moment, and this should be a motivation to preserve holiness.

Whie waiting, "be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him [God], at peace.

In the Gospel of Mark

Mk 1:1-8



Mark announces his Gospel as the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. But before he actually tells us about Jesus Christ and his good news, he introduces John the Baptist as our Lord's forerunner. Mark quotes Isaiah of the First Reading. Just as in ancient times messengers went ahead of the king to announce his coming to town, so John announced the coming of the Messiah, God's anointed vicegerent on earth, Jesus Christ. The mission of Jesus was prepared by John. His mission was the same as that of Jesus, though he stressed a judgment whereas Jesus emphasized salvation.

Notice the two aspects of John's message: (1) repentance, baptism, forgiveness and (2) the coming of One more powerful, who will baptize the people in the Holy Spirit (i.e., immerse them in ...John thought of baptism by immersion!) If we are waiting for "salvation," a way out of a dim and unexciting existence, we should pay attention to these two aspects and apply them to ourselves.

Newsy Notes

***********************************************

Deacon Bob Brazier, CRE

***********************************************

REMEMBER:

"Happy Advent "

1st Communion

CONFIRMATION



Address future PSR and Sacramental Preparation Questions to:

Deacon Bob Brazier at bbrazier@sttm.org

Bring Your Children To Mass?

When Jesus reprimanded the apostles for wanting

to keep children away from Him (see Mt 19:14),

He did not give an age or behavior requirement.

At the baptism of a child, parents and sponsors

promise to teach their children the Catholic faith

and “to bring them up according to

the law of Christ and His Church.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us,

“The Sunday celebration of the Lord’s Day

and his Eucharist is at the

heart of the Church’s life” (No. 2177).

This importance is shown in attendance at Mass

and rest from labor, the first of the precepts of the Church.

Click the link below to read why you should bring your children to Mass:

BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO MASS

Divine Lord, send your Holy Spirit anew into our hearts and cleanse us from all sin so we may adore and worship you in Spirit and in truth. Create in us a greater love for your Word and a keener desire to serve you and our fellow men. Remove all malice, bitterness, and resentment from our minds, and fill us with your abundant grace. In Christ Jesus our Savior and Friend.

AMEN