Sunday, December 11, 2016

2nd Sunday of Advent

4 December 2016

Entrance Longing, trusting (mtgf)
Penitential Rite Kyrie 'Orbis factor'
Psalm 71 In his days (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation Helmsley Alleluia (adp. mtgf)
Preparation of Gifts O comfort my people (Irish, arr. mtgf)
Eucharistic Acclamations Creation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of God Advent (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon Jerusalem arise (mtgf)
Communion On Jordan's bank (Monteverdi)
Final Come, thou long expected Jesus

I am always interested in the connection between gospel time and liturgical time. Rather the mismatch, we have these seasons, Advent, Lent & Easter, the latter two even have their length sanctioned by the gospel of 40 and 50 days, but the gospel accounts are sparse when it comes to that time. And so the Lectionary in the Easter season is filled with before and after, the last supper discourse of John and the Acts of the Apostles. It struck me this Sunday that I, at least on one level, have at times heard the gospels of John the Baptist as happening prior to the birth of Jesus rather than his baptism and mission. There is a half conscious memory of wondering why the images of John the Baptist and Jesus are not of a more adult John. It seems to me that the Lectionary is at least not refuting that impression. So, to my original point, the Gospel narratives of what happens prior to Jesus' birth are heard on the 4th Sunday. Now you may think that the prior Sundays are about 2nd coming, but John does not fit into that narrative. To steal a well known title by Raymond Brown John heralds an adult Christ at Christmas.

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