Second Sunday in Advent: December 07, 2025
Readings: Isaiah 11:1–10; Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 12–13, 17; Romans 15:4–9; Matthew 3:1–12
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| St John the Baptist preaching painting by Mattia Preti |
Prophets are the men of God who listen to the voice of God. They do not speak for themselves, but for God. They are men of courage and resilience. Nothing can stop them from doing what they are supposed to do. They speak directly and boldly. Their strength is God. The worldly authority, power, wealth, honour and prestige do not touch them, because their focus is on doing God's will in their lives. There are prophets even today, but we find it difficult to recognize or listen to them. We are ready to listen to the non-prophets who exercise power and authority. As a result, we lose sight of such precious gems in our society and world. As we enter into the Second Sunday of Advent, the liturgical readings prepare us boldly to embrace more of God and less of worldly things. Even though the Advent candle may be lit with a theme of "peace," the prophets Isaiah and St John the Baptist ask us to embrace peace with justice, thus straightening our lives.
1. Advent: looking for spaces of renewal
In the Gospel reading of today, Matthew 3:1-12, we see John the Baptist appearing in the wilderness with a special message to the Israelites. He preaches in the desert of Judea, which also offered the solace of the river Jordan. The desert is not a lonely place. There is a voice of God. In such a place, St John is preaching and praying for the repentance of his people. In our busy schedule, when we get engrossed in too much noise and distractions, we must find solace in such places of the desert or the River Jordan.
Advent too invites us into such a wilderness—not to frighten us, but to help us see clearly. St John does not just preach but welcomes them to be cleansed through the waters of Jordan. We too often are lost with our deepest longings and our hidden resistances. It is not just enough to listen to the prophet, but one has to immerse oneself in the waters of the River Jordan. In such a place, we receive healing and newness into our lives.
2. Advent: Listening to the hardest truth
John’s message is not a soft one. It is a summons—a wake-up call to a sleeping world: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Repentance is often misunderstood as sorrow for wrongdoing. But in its truest sense, repentance is turning—turning the heart back to God, turning the eyes back to what matters, turning the steps back toward the path of freedom.
The stern and strong personality of St John the Baptist brings people of all ages, including those who did not like to hear him. He does not deny them the space they needed to receive the repentance, including the so-called brood wipers, namely, Pharisees and Sadducees. Even the ugliest sinner has a possibility for repentance. The lifestyle of St John attracts the people. His cares were geared towards how best to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus, the Son of the Living God. For that matter, St John is ready to walk extra miles as well.
3. Advent: Opening our hearts to Christ freshly, gently and powerfully.
The words of St John the Baptist: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight,” come with deep conviction of the historical event that is going to take place soon, in fact, in his lifetime. That is the arrival of the Messiah in the form of flesh and blood. The prophet seeks authenticity in every person he baptizes. He warns against relying on religious labels, routines, or appearances. God is not waiting for perfection; God is waiting for honesty.
The prophet is certain of the person whom he is recommending: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire,” he says. This fire is not destruction but purification. It is the fire that burns away fear, resentment, pride, sloth and indifference. It is the fire that warms the heart frozen by disappointment. It is the fire that lights the way for those who have walked too long in darkness. Therefore, Advent is not merely to wait for Christ, but to let Christ reshape us from within. The truth is, God desires to enter a prepared heart, but God also helps us prepare it. We are not alone in this work. Grace does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
Questions for self-reflection
- What crooked paths in my life need straightening?
- What small spaces of silence can I create so that God may speak?
- What fruit of love, justice, or mercy is God inviting me to bear?
Prayer:
Lord our God, as we enter the second week of Advent, we ask you to open our hearts to the voice that calls us to prepare the way for your coming. Help us make straight the paths of our lives and remove whatever keeps us from your peace. Fill us with the quiet strength and hope that you alone can give. As John the Baptist pointed others toward the Lamb of God, let our own lives reflect your love in simple, sincere ways. Come, Lord Jesus, and make your home within us as we wait for you with faith and longing. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.
- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ
04 December 2025
E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net
Blog: Celebrate Faith
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