Second Sunday of Advent

Here are the readings for the Second Sunday in Advent, December 9, 2012:

Baruch 5: 1-9
Psalm 126: 1-6
Philippians 1: 4-6, 8-11
Luke 3: 1-6

All those hard-to-pronounce names at the beginning of the Gospel-- why are they included?
For one thing, this is Luke's way of letting us know that this story isn't "Once upon a time...." but  rather, "In THIS particular place, at THIS specific time... THIS is what happened!" And then we proceed to learn about John the Baptist's ministry and message.

We live in a particular place and specific time, so it only seems appropriate to take some time this week to ask ourselves how we might best prepare for the coming of our Savior? What needs to change (what mountainous barriers leveled, what potholes filled in?) so that our repentance can be true, our conversion to living like and for Jesus Christ complete?

The topic for the Catechumenate this Sunday is Mary.