Meditation
for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A
(Is 11:1-10;
Rm 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12)
The prophet explained that the Messiah, who would come like a shoot from the stump of Jesse, shall judge with righteousness and equity, delivering the meek from the wicked. “Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.” He shall bring peace and reconciliation. He shall bring to the earth the knowledge of the Lord, and all nations shall seek him. “And his dwellings shall be glorious.”
To wait for the Lord in this Season of Advent implies that we
make efforts to adjust our lives to meet the Lord and welcome Him. That means
we must begin to adjust our ways of life to align with the person of Jesus as
announced by the prophet Isaiah. This is what the second reading and the Gospel
emphasized. St. Paul explains that divine instructions, given in former days,
like the ones we read from prophet Isaiah, breed steadfastness and
encouragement, so that we will not lack hope. As we abide to these words of
hope, God will give us the grace to live in harmony with one another, “In accord
with Jesus Christ, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The peace and reconciliation that dwells in Christ,
is expected to be manifested among those ready to welcome Him. In other words,
a sign that we are waiting and ready to welcome the expected Messiah is our
readiness to welcome and reconcile with one another.
John the Baptist steps in, his voice roars in the desert: “Repent,
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He not only preached with his voice, but
he himself became the message. John too arose with great humility; his dressing
and food was so lowly! Both his voice and appearance spoke of penitence. Yet,
he rose like a shoot from the stump, a lonely voice in the dry land, but the
truth and power in his message attracted the people to him. “And they were
baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” John the Baptist warns
of the impending danger if we do not make way for the Lord by repenting of our
sins.
That is why his baptism of repentance prepared the people for
the baptism of the Holy Spirit that was to come in Christ Jesus. The coming of Jesus
ushers in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which will animate in those ready
to receive Him the righteousness of Jesus as announced by Isaiah. This will
bring renewal to the face of the earth, and separate the wheat from the chaff.
We can see already the self-inflicted destruction among individuals, families
and societies that choose the chaff life, which is not guided by the Holy
Spirit and is empty of the righteousness of Jesus. That is why we must listen
to the voice from the desert, the voice of penitence, which summons us this Advent
to humble ourselves under the Shoot from the stump of Jesse, and put on His righteousness
and faithfulness.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church.
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Sunday December 4, 2022.
