Second Sunday of Advent /
Msgr. Owen F. Campion
The Sunday Readings
Indicating the importance of Advent and the message of these readings, the Church this weekend celebrates the Second Sunday of Advent, rather than the great Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This feast will occur this year on Dec. 9.
This weekend’s first reading again is from Isaiah. This prophet was unhappy with the turn of events of his time. As was so often the case with the ancient Hebrew prophets, Isaiah saw the misfortunes facing his people as the result of their own disloyalty to God.
His words, however, were neither menacing nor hostile. Rather, they were reassuring. They declared the prophet’s firm belief that, despite the sins of the people, God would not forsake them. Furthermore, in due time, God’s holy will would be vindicated. Wrongs would be righted. Errors would be corrected. Justice and peace would prevail.
St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans supplies the second reading. In this reading, St. Paul repeats the basic message given earlier by Isaiah. It is a testimony to God’s love. Throughout history, St. Paul maintains, God guided the Chosen People to righteousness and ultimately to union with himself. Paul sees God as the source of all patience and encouragement. Human failings notwithstanding, God’s love is constant.
The Apostle also counsels the Christians in Rome to accept each other in love and good will. After all, he insists, Christ accepted them. Christ was a visible and effective instrument on Earth of God’s mercy and goodness.
For its third reading, the Church this weekend offers us a reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew. The central figure is John the Baptist, mentioned in Luke as the child of Elizabeth and Zachariah. Elizabeth of course was the “kinswoman,” probably a cousin of Mary. Therefore, John was related to Jesus.
From the earliest days of Christianity, John the Baptist has been a favorite figure. His absolute commitment to the most basic dedication to God has made him a model for the devout.
John clearly was on a mission. Gospel testimony is plentiful. Travel in ancient Palestine was understandably rare. After all, travel was very difficult and time-consuming. It was unpredictable and risky. Very few would have traveled for diversion or leisure.
That John journeyed far and wide evidenced his sense of mission, and he encountered many people.
John was not hesitant or vague in confronting people. He chastised his listeners, in effect, for their differences of opinion. Self-interest drove them too much. Their lack of true devotion to God only strengthened the reign of sin in the land. Thus, their personal failings contributed to the burdens weighing heavily upon the entire society.
He challenged the people to purge themselves of this self-interest and humbly to turn to God.
Reflection
As we progress through Advent, the Church calls us to make ourselves worthy of receiving God.
Frankly, it places before us our own sins and the sins of all humanity. John himself was stark and direct, absolutely and completely committed to God. His words are sharp and unequivocal. To realize our personal sinfulness, and the sinfulness of the world, believing such admission is essential to any effort to become holy, the Church calls us to a thorough examination of conscience.
Using the words and example of John the Baptist, the Church also urges us to put first things first. Following worldly self-interests will lead nowhere—certainly not to God.
Advent’s purpose is not just to plan for a memorial of Christ’s birth. It primarily calls us to make our hearts fitting dwelling places for the Lord. To be fitting dwelling places, we must rid ourselves of sin.
Isaiah and Paul both remind us that God will empower us in our quest for holiness. God wants us to live. He loves us with a perfect love. †