Advent 2b

Preparing the Way, Mark 1.1-8; Isaiah 40

As St. Mark opens his Gospel he reveals just what he thinks of Jesus Christ. Along with that we are directed in how to prepare the way of the Lord through the words of John the Baptist, who is the Elijah to come predicted by the prophet Malachi.

Image: Saint John the Baptist Bearing Witness, by Annibale Carracci, CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Image location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_John_the_Baptist_Bearing_Witness_MET_DP220449.jpg

Comfort, Comfort from the Advent of Peace, Isaiah 40.1-11, Mark 1.1-8

St_John_the_Baptist_in_the_Wilderness_MET_DP874337.jpg

Yahweh commands his people to take comfort from what he is going to do. And what is he going to do? He is going to forgive their iniquities that there might be peace between them and him! John the Baptist brings the same message to the people: Forgiveness of sins and peace with God. But in John’s time he can point directly to Yahweh walking in their midst, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Image: St John the Baptist in the Wilderness, Cornelis Cort, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Image location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_John_the_Baptist_in_the_Wilderness_MET_DP874337.jpg