December 6, 2015 - Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

First Reading  Baruch 5:1-9
Jerusalem shall see the splendor of God's glory.

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 126:1-2,2-3,4-5,6
A song of praise for God's great deeds

Second Reading  Philippians 1:4-6,8-11
Paul prays for the Philippians.

Gospel Reading
Luke 3:1-6

This week and next, our Gospel readings invite us to consider John the Baptist and his relationship to Jesus. John the Baptist appears in the tradition of the great prophets, preaching repentance and reform to the people of Israel. To affirm this, Luke quotes at length from the prophet Isaiah. John baptizes for repentance and for forgiveness of sins, preparing the way for God's salvation.