Sunday 10 December 2023 – II of Advent

+ From the Gospel according to Matthew (1, 1 – 8)

Beginning of the gospel of Jesus, Christ, Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah:
«Behold, before you I send my messenger:
he will prepare your way.
Voice of one crying in the desert:
Prepare the way of the Lord,
straighten his paths.”
there was John, who baptized in the desert and proclaimed a baptism of conversion for the forgiveness of sins.
The whole region of Judea and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem flocked to him. And they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
John was dressed in camel hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he proclaimed: «The one who is stronger than me comes after me: I am not worthy to stoop down to untie the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Word of the Lord