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Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent

December 6, 2026 · Mark 1:1-8

John prepares the way

On the Second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist invites us to prepare our hearts: someone very great is about to come, and he is Jesus. Mark 1:1-8

Liturgical color: violet

This Sunday’s Gospel, in everyday words

Mark begins by quoting the prophet Isaiah: a voice cries out in the desert to prepare the way of the Lord. Mark 1:2-3

John appeared in the desert and baptized people in the Jordan River. Mark 1:4-5

Many people from Judea and Jerusalem went out to him and confessed their sins. Mark 1:5

John announced that one mightier than he was coming after him. He was so great that John did not feel worthy even to untie his sandals. Mark 1:7

He told them that he baptized with water, but the one who was coming would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. Mark 1:8

What the Bible says

Mark 1:1-8

1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2As it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee. 3A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. 4John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins. 5And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. 6And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The other readings at Mass

First Reading

God comforts his people. A voice cries out to prepare the way of the Lord in the desert. God comes like a shepherd who cares for his sheep. Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

Responsorial Psalm

We ask God to show us his mercy and grant us his salvation. Psalm 85:9-14

Second Reading

For God, a thousand years are like one day. He is patient with us: let us wait for his coming by living in peace. 2 Peter 3:8-14

The full readings for this day, from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: bible.usccb.org

What the Church teaches

Advent

It is the four weeks before Christmas. The Church waits for Jesus and gets ready to welcome him.

Catechism 524

John, the one who goes ahead

John the Baptist is the precursor: the one who goes ahead of the Lord to prepare his way.

Catechism 523

The color violet

In Advent the priest wears violet, the color of preparation and waiting.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal 346

The Advent wreath

In many homes, one more candle is lit each Sunday. This Sunday two are lit.

Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy 98

To read with your children

John lived in the desert, near the Jordan River. Mark 1:4

He wore clothes of camel’s hair and ate honey. Mark 1:6

Many people went to the river so that John would baptize them. Mark 1:5

John told people to get ready, because someone very great was coming. Mark 1:7

In Advent, we also get our hearts ready for Jesus.

To talk about as a family

  1. John prepared the way for Jesus. What can we prepare at home this week?
  2. The people confessed their sins. Is there something you would like to ask forgiveness for?
  3. For the child: when someone you love very much is coming, how do you get the house ready?

This week

This week, prepare the way: each day, do one good deed quietly. Help without being asked, say you are sorry, or share something of yours.

To pray

Lord Jesus, like John in the desert, we want to prepare the way for you. Make our hearts clean, teach us to wait for you with joy, and make our home a place where you want to stay. Amen.

Who is in it?