II SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Matthew 3:1-12
John the Baptist is a central figure of the Advent. He appeared on the threshold of the New Testament. He came with the mission of calling people to repent and turn to the Lord, thus preparing themselves to welcome the Messiah. He went to live in the wilderness, becoming by his way of life a symbol of protest against the luxury and the vice of the city dwellers. Very soon, people realised that John was a man touched by God and sent by him to proclaim his word. His message was simple and straightforward and could be summarised in a few short sentences: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand”. The promises made through the prophets are going to be fulfilled - that is the time of salvation in which God makes peace and harmony among all creatures possible. However, to have a part in God’s kingdom, one has to change his way of life and walk on the path of righteousness set out by God.
John addressed his message mainly to the common people. They were the majority of those who came to him and accepted to be baptised by him as a sign of repentance. When he became well known, the influential people from Jerusalem started coming as well. John received them with scorn: “Brood of vipers, who warned you to fly from the retribution that is coming? But if you are repentant, produce the appropriate fruit.” Repentance implies conversion, that is a change of behaviour; it cannot be only a question of appearances. And he warns them not to fall into any delusion. It is useless to claim that we are the children of Abraham. If we believe, we belong to the family of Abraham, our father in faith, but faith implies a way of life in a permanent relationship with God. So it was with Abraham, who put his life in the hands of God and lived accordingly. The kingdom of God is coming for all those who entrust themselves to God and allow him to decide of their lives. Without putting ourselves in the hands of God, we will be left out, that is, we will be excluded.
As a prophet, John proved to be hard and demanding on himself and on all those who came to him. The time of fulfilment will be as well a time of judgement: “Even now the axe is laid to the roots of the trees, so that any tree which fails to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown on the fire.”
John makes it clear that is role is just of preparation and announcement. He does not pretend to be what he is not. He is true to himself and to those who come to him. He is not a deluded man, but someone who with humility is well aware of his position: “I baptise you in water for repentance” and “the one who follows me is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to carry his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” The Messiah, who will baptise with the Holy Spirit, will force us to choose our destiny: if we produce well, we will be kept for God; if we are only useless chaff, then we will be burnt “in a fire that will never go out”. God must be taken seriously.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
The Immaculate Conception is traditionally celebrated on the 8th of December, but as it falls on Sunday, this year it will be celebrated on Monday, 9th of December.
My soul glorifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age,
on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones
and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things,
sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his sons for ever.
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