Cycle B 2nd Sunday Advent

Second Sunday of Advent [CYCLE B]

MAIN MESSAGE

[This is for reference only. Please do not read it at Mass] The liturgy of the second Sunday of Advent leads us from ‘waiting’ for the Lord to actively preparing the way for his coming. The Gospel shows us John the Baptist doing just that: calling the people to repentance and also announcing the imminent ‘coming’ of the Saviour. We tell the second part of the story of Rapunzel, emphasizing the part she played in ‘making the way’ for the prince to save her: She lets down her hair to act as a rope for the prince to climb up. We encourage the children to say ‘yes’ to Jesus and so make the way for him to enter our hearts.

INTRODUCTION: Celebrant: Today is the second Sunday of Advent, the time that we get ready for Jesus. I hope that you have been reading the Bible verse and praying with your family everyday. Last week we realized that we must wait for God, think about him and call out to him. Let’s listen to the readings today and see what else God wants us to do.

LITURGY OF THE WORD: Commentator: In the first reading we hear a voice shouting to the people, because God is coming. What does the voice ask people to do? First Reading: Isaiah 40:3-5 Psalm: 85: 8, 9, 10-11 Gospel: Mark 1:1-8. Homily: Celebrant: Were you listening to the readings? Then tell me: •

What did the voice tell the people to do to get ready for God? {Make a straight road, fill in the valleys, flatten the mountains]

In the gospel we hear the same words again. At that time Jesus was about to start his work. Just before he did, someone else began to make the way ready for him. Who was that? [John the Baptist, who was Jesus’ cousin] • John told the people to turn back to God and start living for him. •

Let’s look at the story of Rapunzel again and see what happened. In case you don’t know the beginning of the story, Rapunzel was a beautiful young girl who was the prisoner of a wicked witch. The witch had put her into a high tower with no doors or stairs, so Rapunzel could not escape. One day the king’s son heard her singing and managed to enter the witch’s garden. When he realized that Rapunzel was trapped in the tower he decided to rescue her. But of course it would not be easy. There were no doors to enter the tower and nothing to help him to climb up. As he looked around to see what he could do, he heard someone coming. The prince ran and hid in the bushes… just in time! The witch herself came up to the tower. She looked up and shouted, ‘Rapunzel! Rapunzel! Let down your hair!’ The prince watched as the girl let down a long plait of hair that reached right up to the witch’s hands. The witch grabbed the plait as if it were a rope and climbed up to and climbed up to Rapunzel’s window. ‘So that is how she gets up!’ said the prince. As soon as the witch had gone back to her house, the prince called out in a whisper, ‘Rapunzel! I have com e to save you! Let down your hair for me!’ Rapunzel looked down and saw a strange young man. She wondered, ‘Should I do what he says? How do I know if he is a friend or enemy? Will he hurt me as he climbs up? ...What if the witch hears and kills us both?’ The prince called out again, ‘Rapunzel! You must trust me! Let down your hair so that I can come and save you!’ Then Rapunzel forgot all her fears. She threw down her long, thick plait to the prince. In a few seconds he was at her side. Quickly he unwound a coil of rope from around his waist and tied it to the window. Then the two of them climbed down the rope and galloped away on the prince’s horse. Soon they were in the king’s palace, safe from the wicked witch. The prince asked Rapunzel to marry him and she gladly said ‘yes’. They lived together happily for many, many years. •

Children, Jesus can help us to get free from sin. He has come to hold our hands and take us safely to heaven. But there is something we have to do: we have to say ‘Yes’. If Rapunzel had not let down her hair, the prince would not have been able to climb up to her and save her.

• How do we say ‘yes’? - Listen to God’s voice. Read the Bible every day so that you can hear him better. - Keep asking him, ‘What do you want me to do?’ - Do what he says. - If you realise that you have done wrong, say sorry and ask his help to change. APPROPRIATE HYMNS ENTRANCE: We are Children of the Lord OFFERTORY: I’ll Say Yes, Yes, Yes COMMUNION: Into My Heart RECESSIONAL:I Have Put on My Garments of Praise

PREPARATION REQUIRED: • Practice the readings. • Write the words ‘SAY YES TO HIM’ on the tower.

FIR ST REA DING : A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah: A voice is shouting: Clear a path in the desert for the Lord. Build a straight road there for our God. Fill in the valleys and flatten the mountains and hills. Level the rough and rugged ground. Then the glory of the Lord will appear for all to see. The Lord has promised this! This is the Word of the Lord.

PSALM : Response: Lord, show salvat ion. I will listen to you Lord God, because you promise peace to those who are faithful and no longer foolish. You are ready to rescue everyone who worships you, so that you will live with us in all of your glory.

ACCLA MA TION :

GOSPEL :

us your mercy and love , and grant

us your

Love and loyalty will come together; goodness and peace will unite. Loyalty will sprout from the ground; justice will look down from the sky above.

Alleluia, alleluia. Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All people shall see the salvation of God.. Alleluia, alleluia. The beginning of the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

This is the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It began just as God had said in the book written by Isaiah the prophet: “I am sending my messenger to get the way ready for you. In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.’” So John the Baptist went to the desert and told everyone, “Turn back to God and be baptised! Then your sins will be forgiven.” From all Judea and from Jerusalem crowds of people went to John. They repented of their sins and he baptised them in the Jordan River. John wore clothes made of camel’s hair. He had a leather belt around his waist and ate grasshoppers and wild honey. John also told the people, “Someone more powerful is going to come. And I am not good enough even to stoop down and untie his sandals. I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit!” This is the Gospel of the Lord. NB. All Readings are taken from the ‘Lectionary for Masses with Children’ canonically approved for use in the USA.