Cycle A - Year I:

4 December 2016: Second Sunday of Advent

(Liturgical color: Violet)

Gospel: Please read Matthew 3:1-12

A Call for Repentance!

On the second Sunday of our Advent journey we meet John the Baptist, whom we can call a "man with a mission". Because his whole life was fueled by one burning passion, which is to point others to Jesus Christ and the coming of His kingdom.

Who is John the Baptist and what is the significance of his message for our lives today?

Scripture tells us that John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb (Lk 1:15, 41) by Christ Himself, whom Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit. When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, John leaped in her womb as they were filled by the Holy Spirit. (Lk 1:41)

John the Baptist was the last of the prophets who was sent by God with a special mission: to prepare

the way for the Savior. His appearance completed the cycle of prophets began by Elijah. (Mt 11:13-14) John makes the way ready for the coming of the Messiah, God's anointed Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. He announced the coming of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Thus, the role of John the Baptist in our salvation history was very important because it was he who opened the way for Christ to start His public ministry. And John was fiercely determined to complete his mission in this regard.

St. Matthew wrote in this Sunday's Gospel: "John the Baptist appeared preaching in the desert of Judea saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!'" (Mt 3:1-2) He is the voice in the wilderness calling all to prepare the way of the Lord by baptizing his followers in the river Jordan as they acknowledged their sins. John gives testimony to the light and truth of Jesus Christ: "...the one who is coming after me is higher than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Mt 3:11)

Like John the Baptist, we, too are called today to give testimony to the light and truth of Jesus Christ. But first, we need to prepare ourselves for His coming through conversion and repentance of our sins, so that we can point others to Christ in the way we live, work and speak.

Repentance is like a door that opens to allow God's visit to our soul. While God's throne is in the highest heaven, surrounded by majesty, glory and splendor, yet God's dwelling place on earth is found in a humble and contrite heart that repents sincerely. But conversion is a continuous process, which starts with a decision to come into a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord.

In sum, the Church teaches that everyone who is baptized is a "man of mission", and our mission is to proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of heaven through our faith, good examples and words. In other words, our mission is to prepare the way for Christ's coming on His birthday on Christmas day, His coming in our lives through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and His final coming at the end of times.

During this Advent Season, then, let us pray: Lord, let your light burn brightly in my heart that I may know the joy and freedom of Your kingdom. Fill me up with the Holy Spirit and empower me to witness the truth of Your Gospel so that by words and examples I can point others to Jesus Christ in my home, workplace and wherever I may be. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!