Second Sunday of Advent - Matthew 3:1-12

Second Sunday of Advent

December 5, 2010
December 8, 2013
December 4, 2016
December 8, 2019

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Matthew 3:2

The Advent theme continues this week with a reminder to stay awake, be ready and repent, for a new day is coming, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The readings this week speak of the need for conversion in order to meet the Messiah whom God is sending into the world.

In Isaiah we learn about when the Kingdom of God is fully realized, the true peace that was intended from the beginning will be restored, when “the wolf shall be the guest of the lamb….and there shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord..”

In Romans, Paul reminds us “to live in harmony with one another,” and that Christ came not only to proclaim the kingdom to the Israelites, but to the whole world.

Center Panel Saint John's Altarpiece, Rogier van der Weyden

Finally in the Gospel reading for the second week of Advent, which is the same each year, we hear the story of the preaching of John the Baptist. It is John’s job to prepare the Jews for the coming of the Messiah; it is his job to ready their hearts for conversion, a conversion that must begin with repentance.

In theory, we should be working on our conversion every day of our lives, but we can easily become so busy that we let God drift to the edge of our life. I know that I am guilty of this, allowing myself to become too preoccupied with “getting everything done.” This is why we need penitential seasons like Advent and Lent. They give us a time to reevaluate our lives and recommit ourselves to living a Gospel lifestyle.

Isaiah 11:1-10

Responsorial Psalm Ps 72

Romans 15:4-9

Matthew 3:1-12

Tonight light the second candle of your Advent Wreath
Advent Blessings from Lynn's Timeless Treasures

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