Bishop’s Sunday Gospel Reflection:
On this Second Sunday of Advent, the Church directs our attention to an expert in preparation: St. Saint John the Baptist. John’s mission was wholly devoted to preparing the way for Jesus. As we anticipate the celebration of Christ’s coming at Christmas—and prepare our hearts to receive Him both now and at the end of time—we would do well to heed the Baptist’s message:
“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
Repentance is the necessary first step in preparing our hearts to welcome Jesus. As challenging and scary as it might be, we need to acknowledge the evil in our own hearts and lives. The Kingdom of Heaven is uninhabitable for wickedness.
When we identify sin, we must be truly sorry. By the Sacrament of Penance, we can bring this brokenness to the Lord to receive His forgiveness—and to ask for the grace to live differently. In our first reading, Isaiah describes how the coming “root of Jesse”—Jesus—will be filled with the Holy Spirit and His gifts, and He will not judge by appearance or hearsay, but rather by truth and justice. John the Baptist likewise warns the Pharisees: “bear fruit as evidence of your repentance… every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Repentance cannot be faked or halfhearted, it must lead to a transformation of life.
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Gospel Reflection: Second Sunday of Advent - AD Today
On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,and from his roots a bud shall blossom.The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,a spirit of counsel and of strength,a spirit … Continue reading
