Second Sunday in Advent.

First Reading. Is. 11:1-10.

Prophet Isaiah kindles; hope among the Israelites who were living in a hopeless situation because of the sins of their leaders. He promises the coming of the Messiah, the One who will judge our
righteousness, and then there will be complete peace.

SecondReading. Rom. 15: 4=9.

St. Paul tells the Romans that the Scripture serve as guidelines for their upliftment and hope. He prays that they will glorify God by living in peace and harmony with one another, whether he is a Jew or a Gentile.

Gospel. Mt. 3: 1-12.

The appearance of John the Baptist is reported. This fulfills the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah. John lives in the wilderness and preaches the message of repentance. Kindling among them; the hope for a Messiah who will be more powerful than he.

Reflection.


Today is the second Sunday of Advent. The readings prepare us for the second coming of Christ. To us who live in sin there is a message from the Scriptures; a message calling us to repentance and to turn away from our sinfulness as the Second Coming of the Lord is eminent. They in vite us to turn away from sin and live in peace and harmony with our neighbor as the Lord is coming. The readings give us this hope.

In  the  first  reading  Prophet  Isaiah  kindles  hope  among  the Israelites  who  were  misled  by  their leaders and had gone against Yahweh. He speaks of a shoot from the stump of Jesse and a branch out of his roots. Here he refers to the birth of the Messiah upon whom the spirit of the Lord shall rest. He will be full of the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. He will have the fear of the Lord. He will judge the world with righteousness and equality and smite the world with the rod of his mouth; righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins. During his reign there will be complete peace and harmony. No one will do any evil against the other, and even animals will not harm the other. It gives hope for the people who are living in hopeless situations
so that they would have some hope. For us it is the second coming of Christ that gives hope.

In  the second reading St. Paul speaks of the Scriptures as those that gives hope. He says, “Whatever was  written  in  former  days  was  written  for  our  instructions  that  by  steadfastness  and  by  the
encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” They help us to live in peace and harmony with our neighbor. Therefore God wants us to get together with all people and give praise to him.
The only way we can get together in order to give praise to God worthily is to be guided by the scriptures. Therefore let us turn to the scriptures for guidance and protection.

The  Gospel  refers  to  the  appearance  of  John  the  Baptist  fulfilling  the  prophetic  message  and promises.  He  preaches  in  very  strong  words  a  need  for  repentance.  He  went  on  preaching  and baptizing all those who came to him through faith. His message was very hard on the Pharisees and Sadducees who came for baptism, who preached fearlessly. But he gave them a hope of the coming of one stronger than he. About him he said. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who comes after me is mightier than I. whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His thrashing floor and gather His wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” And that is the coming of the Lord that he was referring to. For us it is the Second Coming of Christ. He will
come to judge the living and the dead. Therefore let us turn away from our sins and be ready to greet Him when He comes. Let us live with that hope.

Aid Story.

While working on his famous painting, “The Last Supper.” Leonardo da Vinci had an argument with a certain man. He lashed out against the fellow with bitter words and threatening gestures. When the argument was over, da Vinci went back to his canvas where he was working on the face of Jesus. He could not make one stroke. At last he realized what the trouble was. He put down his brush, found the man he had offended, and asked his forgiveness. He returned to his studio and calmly continued painting the face of Jesus.

Aid Story 2.

Recently Satan called all devils for a emergency conference. He called for suggestions as they were losing their battle for souls on earth. One spoke. “Let us tell the people that there is no heaven.”
But Satan said, “They know that we all lie; therefore they will not believe us.” A second one said. “In that case let us tell them that there is no hell.” But Satan said, ‘it won’t do any good they will
still believe in heaven.” Finally after a long silence one devil proposed, “Let us tell them that there is no hurry; no hurry to give up sin and live in holiness.” It was accepted unanimously and today it is the temptation we all have; no hurry!

Fr. Ciswan De Croos.

Published by: Ranjan De Mel.