Second Sunday of Advent Year A

The Theme of this Sunday's Readings: The First Advent of Christ and the Announcement of the Coming of His Kingdom In the Gospel Reading, St. John the Baptist calls the covenant people to an act of water immersion as a purification ritual in preparation for the coming of the Messianic Era and the new Davidic kingdom.  Ritual immersion as a symbolic act of purification or renewal was familiar to the Jews; however, St. John's ritual of immersion in the Jordan River for repentance and conversion was unique.  The baptism John offered took on aspects of purification from defilement caused by sin coupled with the one-time ritual conversion experience of Gentile converts.  St. John's baptism prefigured Jesus' baptism into death and new life in His crucifixion and Resurrection.  The people who came to repent their sins in St. John's baptism were turning away from the rebellion of sin and turning back to God in faithful obedience.  Moreover, in one decisive act, they were also turning to a new beginning in preparation for the coming of the Messiah's Kingdom and their journey to salvation when they would receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit as redeemed children in God's eternal family. 00:00 - Intro 00:16 - Collect 00:45 - First Reading 02:24 - Responsorial Psalm 04:03 - Second Reading 05:22 - Gospel Reading 07:35 - Recommended videos