Second Sunday of Advent, Year A – Nov 4, 2016
Readings: Is 11:1-10; Responsorial Psalm Ps 72:1-2. 7-8.12-13.17.CR.cf.7; Rom 15:4-9; Gospel Mat 3:1-12.
Theme: The Imperative of Being Heralds of Christ’s Second Coming!
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the Second Sunday of Advent presents us with realities that are meant to perfectly prepare us for the celebration of Christ’s nativity. We shall reflect on four points in the light of our readings:
1. John as Jesus’ Forerunner – The events leading to the birth of St. John the Baptist clearly reveals the task God had for him. The child, John, had leapt in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth at the greeting of her cousin, the Blessed Virgin Mary. The eventful episode of Ein Kerem (Jerusalem) as found in Luke 1:39-56 reminds us about the remote stages of setting John aside for the great task of preparing the people for the coming of Christ. In no small way did he carry the sacred task of preparing the people for the eventual arrival of Jesus. This has great lessons for us as we shall soon discover.
