Readings
Year A
- Isaiah 11:1-10
- Romans 15:4-13
- Matthew 3:1-12
- Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Year B
- Isaiah 40:1-11
- 2 Peter 3:8-15a
- Mark 1:1-8
- Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Year C
- Baruch 5:1-9 or Malachi 3:1-4
- Philippians 1:3-11
- Luke 3:1-6
- Canticle 4 or 16
Commentary
On the Collect of the Day
The prayer might be compared to this collect for the third Sunday of Advent which entered the Prayer Book in 1662, generally attributed to John Cosin: …
The essential difference between Bishop Cosin’s colect and that in the present revision lies in the placing of responsibility not only upon the ministers and stewards but upon all of us to be prepared for Christ’s coming again.
Hatchett, Marion J. Commentary on the American Prayer Book. Seabury Press, 1981, pp. 166.
Homiletic Directory
On the many occasions when John the Baptist figures in the Gospel, it is striking how often the core of his message about Jesus is repeated: “I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mk 1:8, Second Sunday B). The baptism with the Holy Spirit that Jesus brings is the direct link between all the texts discussed here and the center to which this Directory has continually pointed; that is, the Paschal Mystery, ultimately fulfilled in Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all who believe in Christ. The Paschal Mystery is prepared for by the coming of the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, and its infinite riches will be even further displayed on the last day.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
- CCC 522, 711-716, 722: the prophets and the expectation of the Messiah
- CCC 523, 717-720: the mission of John the Baptist
- CCC 1427-29: conversion of the baptized
- CCC 1042-1050: a new heaven and a new earth
- CCC 710: Israel’s exile foreshadowed the Passion
- CCC 2532, 2636: Paul’s solicitude