A reading from the prophecy of Isaiah
(Chapter 40:1-5, 9-11)
Historical records show that the Babylonian Exile, which was a defining event in the relationship between God and Israel, ended around 538 B.C. This reading, which comes from just before that time, looks forward to a time when God will make things right for Israel. The prophet sees the exile as a punishment for Israel’s sins, but now “her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated.” God is giving comfort to his people.
God offers comfort to us today even amid wars, climate crises, political divisiveness, and the lingering effects of Covid. Now is the time when we need to pray and remember the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. Even closer to home, when we are dealing with addictions, family squabbles, betrayals and conflicts at work, or loss of work, God is there, helping us to deal with our responsibilities in these difficult times and forgiving others for their short tempers and fears.
Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14)
“Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.”
How do you experience the kindness of God, especially in such troubled times? Perhaps it is reaching out to your neighbors, friends, and relatives that you miss but can’t be with physically, especially those who are struggling to make ends meet or are trapped in depression or constant anxiety.
A reading from the Second Letter of Peter
(Chapter 3:8-14)
The author and date of this letter are matters of debate among scholars. The earliest Christians, including Peter and Paul, believed that the Second Coming of Christ and the end of the world would occur in their lifetimes. This letter, perhaps written around 85 A.D., reminds the faithful that “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years” and warns them that “all should come to repentance.” In other words, don’t worry about when the Lord will come again, be prepared all the time.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark
(Chapter 1:1-8)
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John’s baptism is different from the sacrament we know. “I have baptized you with water, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” John knows his role. He never tries to be what he is not, and he cherishes his mission, giving his life for the cause, which is pointing people to Christ.
You and I were baptized in the Holy Spirit. When many of us were growing up, we did not hear much about the Holy Spirit who seemed to be the forgotten member of the Holy Trinity. Today, we live in a time of renewed awareness of the importance for the Holy Spirit in our lives. When I was growing up, I did not realize that the Holy Spirit lived in me and in each person. Did you? It has made a difference to me to know that the Spirit is in me and in everyone that I meet—even though they may not be aware of it. I experience the Holy Spirit as a kind of partner, someone who is there in the good times of blessing and the challenging times that could also be blessings if I could only see them that way.
How about you? Have you become friends with your inner partner, the Holy Spirit? Try it. It is a gradual process of listening and becoming aware of the presence within you. That is not to say that you will always be tuned in to the Spirit or that your troubles will melt away. What it does mean is that you are not alone. Let us remember the prevailing message of the scriptures, “I am with you.”
✝️
Painting: John the Baptist Preaching, Mattia Preti (1630-1699), Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Public Domain.
Excerpts from the English translation of the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL). All rights reserved. The passage regarding the wedding garment is from The New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved.
Bill Ayres was a founder, with the late singer Harry Chapin, of WhyHunger. He has been a radio and TV broadcaster for 40 years and has two weekly Sunday-night shows on WPLJ, 95.5 FM in New York. He is a member of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Centerport, New York.