Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Second Sunday of Advent, Year A – Dec 8, 2019

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: Being Heralds of Christ 

Introduction

Friends in Christ, on the Second Sunday of Advent, the Church invites us to be heralds of Christ’s coming. Our liturgy sets before us the heroic example of John the Baptist who defied time and circumstances to witness to Christ. He prepared the people for the coming of Christ and had the humility to say someone more powerful than himself was coming. What is more, he had the courage to challenge the powers that be, the Pharisees and Sadducees, by reordering their lives towards productiveness. We shall take a look at the readings so as to derive the requisite pastoral lessons therein. 

Background and Summary of the Readings

In the first reading (Isaiah 11:1-10), the Prophet Isaiah speaks of a shoot that springs from the stock of Jesse. He reveals how the spirit of God rests on him and how he is endowed with wisdom, insight, counsel, power, knowledge and fear of the Lord. He assures that the Lord’s dwellings shall be glorious and the nations shall seek him. He maintains that righteousness shall be the belt of His waist and faithfulness the belt of His loins and surmises: “…the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples. It will be sought out by the nations and its home will be glorious.” Scripture scholars opine that this points to Jesus whom John speaks about in the gospel.

In the second reading (Rom 15:4-9), St. Paul presents some catechesis on hope and tolerance. He urged his audience to follow the example of Christ by being united in mind and voice in order to give glory to God. He further called the faithful to treat each other with Christ’s friendliness.  He maintained that Gentiles are direct beneficiaries of the fulfillment of God’s promises and mercies.

The gospel reading (Mat 3:1-12) reveals the call and ministry of John the Baptist. It tells how he prepared the people for the coming of Christ by saying: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.” We are told that he lived an austere life and when he called people to repentance, they obliged him. The text discloses how he repudiated the Pharisees and Sadducees for not bearing fruits. It also reveals his humility when it stresses that John told the people that someone more powerful than him was coming who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire.     

Pastoral Application and Lessons

1. God Has a Task for Everyone: The prophesy of Isaiah in the first reading of someone coming from the stock of Jesse and the events leading to the birth of St. John the Baptist namely leaping for joy in his mother’s womb clearly reveals the task God had for both Jesus and John which further demonstrates that God has a plan for everyone and he invites us to grow in wisdom, insight, counsel, power, knowledge and fear of the Lord.

2. God Sets Us Apart: 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 – We ought to realise that at Advent and always, He too sets us apart for his mighty works bearing in mind that we must not give up on hope and tolerance as St. Paul indicates in the second reading.

3. God Prepares Us for the Task Ahead: Just as God prepared the Baptist for the task ahead, through the Sacraments of Christian Initiation - Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation, he prepares us for a fulfilled Christian life with holiness as our girdle.