2nd Sunday of Advent (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

2nd Sunday of Advent (C), December 9, 2012

Liturgical readings

Baruch 5:1-9
Psalm 126
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Luke 3:1-6

"Make ready the way of the Lord."

St. John the Baptist is a strong character in the readings during the Advent season. His leadership is a prophetic service to his people - leading them to a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Entrusted by the Lord to prepare God's people for the coming of the Messiah, his baptism will take away their "robes of mourning and misery" - caused by many infidelities to Yahweh. So we see St. John in the gospel crying out in the Jordan river and calling the people to prepare for their salvation in God. This salvation will make them see once more that God's promises and His faithfulness are true: the Lord has, is, and will continue to do great things for them, and fill their hearts and their land with His mercy, justice and joy.

Repentance and amendment of life. These are very important themes to reflect upon during Advent; it helps to make our hearts ready for the Lord.  It can begin with the grace and healing received in Confession. When our sins have been taken away by the Lord in the Sacrament, it makes strong our life of charity in God's name: in every thought, word and deed. The law of Christ is not only something external to us, but is engraved much more deeply within our heart and soul. We learn in the Spirit and in the Church that only Jesus can save us, and that our hopes find its true fulfillment in Him. God saves, but we also have to do our part in working for our salvation, as well as that of our neighbor's, through the grace of perseverance and fortitude we receive from Him.

To repent and amend our life needs a little more work. We have to take it to heart and to daily practice. It is especially in these times when the family is beset by so much uncertainty and moral degeneration, that Christ's call becomes stronger: calling every family to renew their commitment to work for His kingdom. The Lord's prophetic call at the beginning of His public life echoes also during Advent: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel." It only takes humble and contrite hearts to make that first steps needed to renew our resolutions and make ready the way of the Lord. Once we resolve to a renewal of hearts and minds to God, Jesus will be with us despite all the uncertainty and adversity we experience around us. He is our Emmanuel; He will continue to be with us for all time.

Memorial of Saints (December 8)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Romaric, abbot

The feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates the conception of Mary in the womb of St. Anne without the stain of original sin. This feast originated in the East and spread through Europe in the 12th century A.D. In 1476 A.D., Pope Sixtus IV listed it in the Roman Calendar. While the majority of the Franciscans propagated the teaching about the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the majority of the Dominicans were against it. But on December 8, 1854 A.D., Pope Pius IX's bull Ineffabilis Deus (Latin for "Ineffable God") declared it as dogma for all Catholics to believe. The Blessed Mother's preservation from original sin was a "singular grace and privilege" given her by God "in view of the merits of Jesus Christ" as the Savior of the human race.

Historical details: While it was still not officially declared by the bull of Pope Pius IX, the introduction of this feast in France was contested by St. Bernard of Clairvaux (Cistercian).

This launched a process of contestability that would last for three centuries. Most of the scholastics, including

• St. Anselm of Canterbury (Benedictine),
• St. Thomas Aquinas (Dominican),
• St. Albert the Great (Dominican),
• and St. Bonaventure (Franciscan)

opposed it on the grounds that it detracted from the universality of the redemption. However, the feast was defended by John Duns Scotus (Franciscan) and many of the Franciscans who adopted the feast in 1263 A.D.

Those who opposed the feast granted that Mary was sanctified in St. Anne's womb but argued that she had to be touched by original sin for at least one instant. John Duns Scotus resolved these objections by arguing that Christ can save in two ways:

• in the first, he rescues from sin those already fallen;
• in the second, he preserves someone from being touched by sin even for an instant.

Later Councils and Popes affirmed the belief

• The Council of Basel (1439 A.D.)
• Pope Sixtus IV in 1476 A.D.
• The Council of Trent (1545-1563 A.D.)
• Pope Clement XI in 1708 A.D.

Since the Council of Trent the belief was defended not only by the Franciscans, but also the Carmelites, by many Dominicans, and also the Jesuits.

Other historical details that affirmed the belief

• St. Catherine Laboure promoted the devotion in 1830 A.D.
• The First Council of Baltimore in 1846 A.D.

So, after so many centuries of contesting, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is on the General Roman Calendar.

Related blog post

• The Immaculate Conception

December 8 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• The Immaculate Conception of Our Most Holy Queen, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary
• "The Conception of St. Anne"

The Conception by St. Anne of the Most Holy Theotokos is observed by the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches the next day, on December 9. But in the Byzantine Calendar, it is observed on this date, December 8.

Memorial of Saints (December 7)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church
• Eutychian, priest
• Josepha Rosello, virgin

St. Ambrose of Milan (339-397 A.D.) was born at Gaul but went to Rome where he became a lawyer and even consul of Milan. He was acclaimed by the people as bishop. One week later, he was baptized. After getting more instructions he was ordained priest and bishop. St. Ambrose was known as an apostle of charity. He reformed the liturgy, wrote commentaries on the Old Testament and the Gospel of Luke. As bishop, he directed many to the Catholic faith, among them St. Augustine of Hippo. St. Ambrose of Milan and St. Augustine of Hippo are both "Fathers of the Church and Doctors of the Church. "Father of the Church" is a more traditional title than Doctor of the Church, Learn more.

St. Josepha Rosello (1811-1880 A.D.) was born and baptized as Benedetta in Liguria, Italy. Together with two cousins, she founded a community in Savona in 1837 A.D. The Congregation, the Daughters of Our Lady of Pity, takes care of the education of poor girls, the founding of hospitals, and doing charitable works. Josepha Rosello was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1949 A.D.

December 7 Saints in the Byzantine Calendar

• Ambrose, Bishop of Milan

In 1298 A.D., Ambrose of Milan was named Doctor of the Church. His feast today is in the General Roman Calendar. It commemorates not the day of his death, (as most Saints are commemorated), but on the day of his consecration as a bishop. His feast is also celebrated on this day by the:

• Greek Orthodox Church
• Russian Orthodox Church
• Church of England
• Episcopal Church in the USA
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America