From the desk of Ms. Kathleen Cook, Director of Religious Education
Theme: Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist appears in Judea preaching a message of repentance.
Summary: John the Baptist preaches the great need for repentance, in order for people to make the changes needed for
harmony to exist in the community. John does not mince words with the religious leaders of the day and speaks to them about getting their houses in order because one mightier than he is about to appear on the scene.
Scripture:In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" Matthew 3:1-3www.sermons4kids.com
Scripture tells us that in the days before Jesus began his ministry, a man called John began preaching and telling the people to prepare for the coming King. When John told people to prepare for the King, he meant that they should prepare their hearts by repenting of their sins and turning toward God. When they did this, John would baptize them in the Jordan River. That is how he got the name, "John the Baptist."
It is important for you and me to make our hearts ready for the coming King too. We do that by confessing our sins and asking God to forgive us. If we will do that, the Bible tells us that He will forgive us and make our hearts clean. Then we will be ready for Jesus when he comes.
Father, every day we do things for which we need your forgiveness. We ask you to forgive us and make our hearts clean so that we will be ready to welcome the coming King. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
When the prophet Isaiah speaks of a
shoot coming out from the stump of Jesse, he is making a comparison between a branch that seems withered and dead, and the hope and new life of the people. When Isaiah refers to the appearance of a branch growing from the roots of Jesse, he is referring to Jesus who is descended from Jesse.
To have spirit of
fear of the Lord does not mean to be afraid of God. Rather, it signifies having a heart that is full of respect for the greatness of the Creator.
Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9
Hope is the confidence we have as Christians that God will always support us. God made this promise in many ways, but especially when he sent us his Son, Jesus Christ.
The
Patriarchs are the ancestors of the people of Israel. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all known by this name. They received God’s promise that God’s people would become a great nation.
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12
John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who was a cousin of the Virgin Mary. He preached the coming of the Messiah. He was called John the Baptist because those who were converted by his preaching were baptized in order to prepare themselves for the coming of the Savior.
The
Pharisees and the
Sadducees were people who belonged to two Jewish religious sects. Pharisees were very strict and believed religion consisted in obeying the rules, sometimes forgetting that love is the greatest rule. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: The
Immaculate Conception is the day we remember that God kept the Virgin Mary free from sin from the very beginning of her life. God did this for Mary because she was the mother of our Savior, Jesus.
My Promise to Jesus: Jesus, I want to be nice to all of my friends. Fill my heart.
Reflect: If a word or phrase from the Gospel captures your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life. What can you change about yourself this Advent to make the world a brighter place? www.smp.org
Suggested book that compliments today’s Gospel:
http://scu.edu/character/build-plant-grow/ Old Turtle and the Broken Truth Written by Douglas Wood
ISBN: 13:978-0439-321009
Praythat your presence in the world will be a unifying factor among the people around you and that your life would be in harmony with God’s will. Amen.
Family Discussion:
www.loyolapress.com We do many things to get ourselves ready for our celebration of Christmas: purchase gifts, prepare Christmas cards, and decorate our homes. John's call of repentance in preparation for Jesus reminds us that our repentance is another way in which we can prepare for the Lord's coming and our celebration of Christmas. Parish communities often offer a communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Advent season. Your family might choose to participate in the communal celebration of the sacrament, or you might seek out the sacrament on an individual basis.
Read together today's Gospel. Talk about how John reminds the people that they prepare for the reign of God by reforming their lives. As a family, prepare a simple reconciliation service in preparation for Christmas such as the following: Gather in a prayerful space, perhaps around your family Advent wreath. Read again today's Gospel: Matthew 3:1-3. Invite each family member to pray silently, and ask God to forgive their sins. Pray together an Act of Contrition. Then celebrate God's forgiveness by sharing a Sign of Peace with each other.