A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (MK 1:1-8)
And this is what John proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
At the beginning of the Gospel according to Mark, he tells us how John fulfills what Isaiah had written. Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” In baptizing the people of the Judean countryside and as they acknowledged their sins, John prepared them for the coming of the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit, the Messiah. Jesus calls us today to participate in the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist as a way to prepare ourselves for his coming.
God, help me make good use of this Advent to prepare for the birth of Our Savior. Every day is a fresh opportunity to approach you in the sacraments, in prayer, and in being loving and generous with the gifs you first gave us. You call me to hear and do your will, and to do that there are attachments to let go of, arms that need to be emptied to be able to receive you. God, give me the grace to prepare myself for the coming of Christ your Son.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.