Transforming into Fullness of Justice and Peace

 2nd Sunday in Advent: December 04, 2022

Readings: Isaiah 11:1–10; Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 12–13, 17; Romans 15:4–9; Matthew 3:1–12

Preaching of John the Baptist, by Mattia Preti (1613 –1699)
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/HxcToYpj9LM

The month of December every year turns out to be the busiest month of the year. As the last month of the year, we would like to accomplish all those unfinished tasks, unmet resolutions, and unfulfilled dreams. For students, the anxiety of exams sets them into great academic rigor, and to those who work in various sectors of business, the targets need to be met. The liturgical readings on this Second Sunday of Advent set the tone for a deeper introspection of our lives and actions. 

1. The arrival of God in history transforms the humanity

Both the prophets, Isaiah and John the Baptist herald a new era of Messiah, the Saviour. Their announcement of the birth of God's Son in our midst will transform everything, from the personal lives of the individual to the political spectrum of society. The coming of the Son of Man will change the destiny of people and nations. It will change things that have remained unchanged for ages and years. In fact, this new way of being will be, in fact, a revolutionary change. Even those who are ready for change will have a conversion of heart.

Prophet Isaiah says so metaphorically what this new era of God's historical presence in this world would be: "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox" (Isaiah 11: 6-7). In other words, the birth of God's Son into the world would change everything. The opposites will come together, and the stark and distinct realities will merge definitly. All that is divided will be brought into one place. 

2. Only way to save oneself is to return to God 

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2) was the voice of St John the Baptist that would shrill loudly from the wilderness of Judea. The voice had a tone of reform, repentance and renewal. This voice brought people of every kind and age, colour and class to the River Jorden from the distant lands of Palestine. It made the bodies quake, hearts melt, and life transform. The rigorous and ascetic life of John the Baptist brought to him even those who were reluctant to listen to him like Pharisees and Sadducees. He tore them into pieces by questioning the kind of life they were living and practicing their religion. His prophecy in fact transformed them.  The prophet did his job without a hinge of fear or trepidation.

Using the words from the book of Prophet Isaiah, John the Baptist proclaims “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” John the Baptism further warns his people, "God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Mathew 3: 3, 9, 10). The prophetic words made a difference in the lives of people. They quickly jumped into the river Jorden to receive the Baptism of repentance. The voice in the desert drove them to a new way of life in God. 

3. Making the prophet within us to speak

A prophet is not for himself but for God and His people. Prophet does not fulfill his wishes but the wishes of God. He gives voice to the Will of God. He becomes a voice to those whose voice boxes have been destroyed or locked. Prophets must speak. John the Baptist on the banks of River Jorden prepares people for a new life in God. He equips them to receive the one who is greater than him. He says boldly, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming 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" (Mathew 3:11). A prophet does not speak for himself, even does not make himself greater than the one who is on the way.

Selfless service and generosity are the hallmarks of the Advent Season. Giving oneself to the service of others and becoming part of their life journey of fear and anxiety, sorrow and tears, loneliness and loss, suffering and hopelessness are part of every baptized Christian. There is no giving up in the middle or at the end. When the prophet says that the Messiah will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire he means that we will be blessed with seven gifts of the Spirit—wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. It is the duty of each one to realize these gifts in our lives. Moreover, always holding on to the words of prophets and making the prophet that is within each of us to speak and act is the mission of every Christian today. 

4. Advent: Allowing God to be part of life

In his last interview with Meinhold Krauss, German Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner (1904-1984) spoke about the Church of tomorrow on preaching the good news. “If the Church is only anxious about taking care of the small flock that she has today or tomorrow, if she does not have the courage to preach the good news of Jesus Christ and his Gospel to those who have not yet accepted it, then she will shrivel up in time. She will also lose those whom she has today.”

Advent is a season of waiting for the Lord to come, to allow God to be part of our life; to allow God to live within our hearts, families, and communities; to allow God to take our curses, our dark spots, blockages, obstacles, uncleanliness, worries, and anxieties.  Thus, to fill those spots with God’s fullness, His infinite mercy and grace. The prophets invite us to prepare in a deeper way to experience God and to do God’s work, to repent, forgive, and bear good fruit. This demands of us a spirit of understanding, wisdom, endurance, courage, harmony, truthfulness, authenticity, and reconciliation. By celebrating the mysteries of Christ, around the alter of the Lord, we may become living good news for those whom we minister and mingle with. Amen.

Questions for Reflection:

1. What is your Judean wilderness as you look around and see towards the end of the year?
2. Any areas of life that you think need some urgent purification or cleanliness to hear the voice of God clearly?
3. Do you feel any areas of your life need repentance or courage to take this leap? 
4. How is your Advent resolution helping you to prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas?

Prayer:

Oh, God, you govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. You rescue the poor and afflicted when they cry out. Hear our plea, Lord, as we enter deeper into the Season of Advent to recall and remember the task that you have given us to live faithfully to the commands of your gospel.

Send your Holy Spirit to deepen my spiritual life. Open my heart to the gifts and cultures which surround my community, workplace and parish. Open my heart to the people who are different from me. I make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

02 December 2022