2nd Sunday of Advent

Gospel Reflection

Matthew 3:1-12

A voice cries in the wilderness: ‘Prepare a way for the Lord, make straight his paths’” Isaiah hears within his prophetic mind, several hundred years earlier on, the voice of John the Baptist. If any person is to be considered central to this first half of the Advent season, it is John, the forerunner of Jesus’ public mission. The spirit of Advent is spurred on by his awakening call. His birth preceded that of Our Lord, with whom he was closely related on Mary’s side, by some six months. His public activity as a prophet preceded the beginning of Our Lord’s public life by not much more. How deep and strong, however, was the impact of his mission. Quickly people took notice of this man who was so forceful and persuasive in his words and even more-so, in his actions and way of life. Even to this day, the Baptist serves this role as one who shakes us out of our complacency and makes us realize the true measure of life. John had grown up in an environment of deep faith and hope in God. His parents were Elizabeth and Zacchary, a devoutly observant couple advanced in years. He must have had contact with other fervent Jewish families and teachers. Above all, however, he was marked from the beginning by a special call and a special grace. This call led him to a life of self- denial, self-giving and prayer. He chose not to rely on the usual supports, comforts and pleasures, even legitimate ones, which most of his contemporaries turned to, often to the point of excess. Neither money, nor food and drink, nor camaraderie, nor the lawful comforts of marriage and the home were the goal of John’s life. The goal was God. His hope was entirely in God’s goodness, and justice, and beauty and mercy. What caused him anguish was human ingratitude, posturing, ignorance of virtue, greed, lust and violence. What gave him joy was the approach of the public appearance of the long-awaited Redeemer, whom he himself had not seen or felt close by since childhood or even infancy. For this reason, the Church draws upon John’s testimony on this second Sunday of Advent. We are asked, as a result, to examine ourselves about our own possible excesses, our own superficiality, our own ingratitude to God. We are encouraged to look to Jesus, as our Redeemer and the One who leads us to the truth about God and ourselves. “…Him the nations shall seek, and his dwellings shall be glorious,” Isaiah foretells. His dwellings are the innumerable churches throughout the world, especially those with tabernacles where Our Lord remains truly present. There he teaches those who seek him out in prayer. In Jesus’ presence, now a reality John the Baptist had looked forward to, we are able to have a sincere look at ourselves, without excessive fear because he is also our Saviour and not just our teacher and judge.
 
John’s words recorded in today’s Gospel are cutting and threatening because he knows he must cut through so much hardened pride and self-satisfaction. His aim is not to finally condemn his hearers but to bring about their conversion. He knows he is there to do the groundwork only, helping as many as he can to embrace Jesus and his words when they
finally encounter him. Something comparable happens to us when we discover the value of making a good confession regularly. Then our receiving Jesus in Holy Communion becomes more meaningful and beneficial. Certainly, if we deliberately failed to confess more serious sins, out of pride or a foolish fear, our communions could hardly be heartfelt embraces of God. What is more, we would give way to a hardening of our consciences and of our bad habits.
 
Tomorrow the Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Sinless as she was and is, the Blessed Virgin knows our struggles and does not abandon us when we fail. She is called ‘Refuge of sinners.” She reminds us of God’s mercy. She is a bulwark of calm and joyful strength, star of the sea, guiding us to Christ, who purifies us with the Holy Spirit and the fire of his love.