SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT A

First Reading  Is 11:1-10

A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse. Peace and justice will triumph.

Second Reading  Rom 15:4-9

Live in harmony with one another.

Gospel Acclamation  Lk 3:4. 6

Alleluia, alleluia!

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:

all people shall see the salvation of God.

Alleluia!

Gospel  Mt 3:1-12

John the Baptist begins to preach in the desert.

The second advent candle “The Bethlehem Candle” is also purple and represents peace.

Peace is a central theme of the advent season but the main focus of the second week of Advent. One of the prophecies about Jesus calls him “the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7). When the angels appeared to the shepherds, they ended their message by saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests” (Luke 2:14).