Second Sunday of Advent Year A
Readings: Is 11:1-10; Rm 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12
The readings this Sunday are quite similar to last
Sunday in that they focus our attention on two key Advent themes: 1) the call
to prepare ourselves through conversion, and 2) the call to wait in hope for a
kingdom of peace. Obviously, both themes are interrelated. In the Gospel, John
the Baptist announces a message of repentance "for the Kingdom of Heaven
is close at hand". John is the prophet Isaiah spoke of saying, "Prepare
a way for the Lord, make his paths straight". This is the real meaning of
Advent, preparing ourselves for the Saviour who comes to bring the gift of
peace for the world. The Liturgy of the Word therefore invites us to prepare
ourselves spiritually, by being reconciled with God and with one another. That
inner conversion should be so real that we are led to action; that we open our
eyes to see the plight of the poor around us and to do something about it. The
lesson we learn from the encounter between John the Baptist and some Jewish
religious leaders is important. John underlines the importance of authentic
spiritual reform – conversion. Genuine spiritual reform is always accompanied
by action as evidence that we have truly been transformed by the Lord. That is why
John the Baptist tells the Pharisee and the Sadducees to “Produce good fruit as
evidence” of repentance. In other words, the sign of our inner transformation
shows itself in the life we live. It is not enough to be baptized. For John the
Baptist, conversion meant literally turning around from the direction one is
going.
The second theme, waiting in hope and trust for a
kingdom of peace is found in the both the first and second readings. Isaiah
prophesies that out of the line of David would come a king who would be a
different kind of king. “Justice shall be the band around his waist, and
faithfulness a belt upon his hips.” That king would be nothing but just, for He
will establish justice and peace. That peace would be so great and genuine that
natural enemies in animal kingdom like the wolf and the lamb would lie down
next to one another, a beautiful image of harmony among God’s creation. That is
the kingdom of peace John the Baptist was preparing the people for when he
said, “prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Paul in the Second Reading reminds us that our God
is a God of endurance and encouragement and as people of hope we must never
give up until all is realized in Christ. The message of this Sunday may be
summed up in 3 points: 1) The readings highlight the meaning behind the
lighting of the Second Candle on the Advent Wreath, signifying our need for
repentance and calling us to reform our lives. 2) We are called to be
reconciled with God and with one another; to live in genuine peace and harmony;
3) That reconciliation and acceptance of God’s mercy will certainly lead to the
kingdom of peace we all await when Christ comes; the kingdom of peace starts
with me when I am humble enough to be totally reconciled with God and with others.
I am Msgr. John Mbinda. God Bless you.
©2013 John S. Mbinda
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