A charming legend relates that at the birth of Jesus the
shepherds hurried to the stable with different gifts. Each brought what he had;
some brought the fruits of their labor, others some precious item.
But as they were all presenting their gifts, there was one
shepherd who had nothing to give. He was extremely poor; he had no gift to
present. As the others were competing to offer their gifts, he stood apart,
embarrassed.
At a certain point, Saint Joseph and Our Lady found it hard to
receive all those gifts, especially Mary, who had to hold the baby. Seeing that
shepherd with empty hands, she asked him to draw near. And she put the baby
Jesus in his arms. That shepherd, in accepting him, became aware of having
received what he did not deserve, of holding in his arms the greatest gift of
all time.
He looked at his hands, those hands that seemed to him always
empty; they had become the cradle of God. He felt himself loved and, overcoming
his embarrassment, began to show Jesus to the others, for he could not keep for
himself the gift of gifts.
We receive Jesus as a gift in order to give him to others. That is the extended meaning of his coming into the world. We can't keep Jesus for ourselves. For him to stay with us, we must give him to others. A paradox and a mystery.
Reflection by St. Augustine on the mystery of the Incarnation: The Son of God becoming man.
"You
would have suffered eternal death, had he not been born in time. Never would
you have been freed from sinful flesh, had he not taken on himself the likeness
of sinful flesh. You would have suffered everlasting unhappiness, had it not
been for this mercy. You would never have returned to life, had he not shared
your death. You would have been lost if he had not hastened to your aid. You
would have perished, had he not come."
Can we ever sincerely question God's love for us? How much more love can one give another than a gift of total self? Thank you, Jesus, for your unconditional love. Help me to love you in response.
The
Gift of Christmas is a Person: God
The
Father so loved us that He gave us His Son.
The
Son so loved the Father and us that He became Man.
The
Spirit so loved us that He overshadowed Mary
in the conception of Jesus.
The
Gift that best responds to God’s love is the gift
of ourselves in love.
May
love be the gift we give this Christmas!
Love
is my gift to you!
Bishop
Jacobs
O Antiphon December 23
O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.
In the scriptures for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we were reminded that God is with us, which is the meaning of Emmanuel. In the midst of all our trials and difficulties, darkness and pain, God has promised to be with us. In being with us, he does not necessarily take away the struggles, but walks with us through those moments. We are never alone. God not only said he will be with us, he became flesh so that he could literally be with us. Such is his love. And he said that he would be with us till the end of time. Come, Lord Jesus, set us free from all fears of loneliness and abandonment. Come and take your rest in our hearts.
O Antiphon December 20
O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.
If Jesus had not come, we would still be held in bondage awaiting the sentence of death and eternal alienation from God. We were in bondage because of Original sin and because of our own personal sins. We could not save ourselves. But God in his infinite mercy chose to become one like us so that he could give his life in ransom for our freedom. His gift unlocked the prison of our captivity. How can we respond? Never equally, gift for gift. But we can respond with gratitude and love, learning to serve as he has served.
O Antiphon for December 19
O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
Jesus, you are the flower of Jesse's stump, promised by the prophets to come into the world. You came once. Come now not only into the world, but more especially into my heart in a fresh new way. Come and continue the transformation I need each day so that one day I may be in your presence forever in glory. I was reborn in baptism. Let every day be a new time of spiritual growth for me because of your presence and grace. Come, O Flower of Jesse's stem!
Homily
Fourth Sunday of Advent Year A
Reading
1: The Kingdom of Judea was being attacked by a foreign nation. The King and
all the people were afraid. He is contemplating aligning himself with another
king to defend Jerusalem.
God
sends the prophet Isaiah to the king to tell him not to be afraid but put his
trust in God who will defend him and defeat the enemy’s army without the king
having to do anything. Ahaz was not convinced, even though externally he says
he doesn’t want to put God to the test. So Isaiah told him to ask for a sign.
But the king was afraid to. But Isaiah said the Lord will give you a sign: the
virgin shall conceive and bear a son, who will be named Emmanuel, meaning God
is with you.
As
promised, God delivered his people from their attackers. The initial fulfillment
was that the future king Hezekiah was conceived at this time and his mother was
unmarried. The fuller meaning was yet to be fulfilled. As we have heard in the
Gospel, it is the prophecy that God made to David concerning a future king from
his line and that his throne will be everlasting. Jesus is the promised
Messiah, the Emmanuel. God was with the people of the Old Covenant and with the
coming of Jesus, our Savior, is with us today. He is a God who is with us in
the present moment.
Gospel:
As Ahaz was disturbed by the attack upon his nation, so Joseph was disturbed by
the realization that Mary, his betrothed was with child, but not his. As a righteous
man, he could not condone or cover up what he thought was infidelity. At the
same time, because he loved Mary and wanted to protect her from the scorn and
shame of what people would say, he chose to divorce her by a letter. This was
allowed by the Law without stating the reason.
But
God had another plan to protect Mary, who was still a virgin and had conceived
by the power of the Holy Spirit the Savior of the world.
In
a dream an angel appears to Joseph and reveals the true identity and mission of
the child. Matthew then connects this revelation to Joseph with the prophecy of
Isaiah to Ahaz. “A Virgin shall conceive and the child shall be known as
Emmanuel.”
Joseph
believed in the message of the angel in his dream. In contrast to Ahaz, Joseph
was not afraid to do what the Lord told him. He loved God and he loved Mary. He
wanted to do what was right and just in the sight of God. Joseph submitted to God’s plan for him: to
protect Mary and the child, to provide for her and the child, to trust in God,
laying down his plans and embracing God’s plans. Joseph’s life would not be
easy. He would have to make many sacrifices.
Reading
2: Ahaz was called to stand firm in faith, trusting his life and that of the
people to God. Paul emphasized the mystery of the person of Jesus, Son of God
in power and descendant of David in the flesh. One person but two natures: Divine
and human. He also points to the prophets of old by proclaiming the Good News
of God’s love in the person, life and deeds of Jesus.
Paul
was called to be an apostle, one who belonged to Jesus and is sent out to
proclaim the same Good News to others. We too the beloved of God by birth and
by rebirth in baptism. We too belong to Christ because he redeemed from eternal
alienation from God through his death and resurrection and he immersed me in
the waters of baptism. We too are sent out to witness to others. We witness our
faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We witness by showing sincere love to
others, truly wishing them a blessed Christmas.
O Antiphon in preparation for Christmas: December 18
O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.
As you pray this prayer what comes to mind? The God of Israel who set his people free from their captivity in Egypt and their captivity in Babylonia, has already set us free through his death and resurrection. And he sets us free every time we fall into sin. To us he shows his love. This is his gift this Christmas.
Fourth Sunday of Advent Gospel A
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
· The custom in those days was that a marriage was arranged. The couple was betrothed to each other (engaged). For a year they would spend apart, getting to know each other. Then the wedding ceremony would follow after that. They were not to have marital relations with one another during this year of engagement. But if they did, nothing would be said.
· Sometime after the Annunciation Mary shared with Joseph that she was with child.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.
· Joseph knew that he had not had relations with Mary. He presumed that she had such with another man. How could he comprehend that this child was conceived by the power of God?
· Being a man dedicated to God and one who truly loved Mary, he didn’t wish her harm. Divorcing her was allowed by law if there was a just reason. If he exposed that she had been unfaithful to him, she would have been stoned to death. By signing a decree of divorce and not accuse her would spare her life. Not “exposing her to shame” meant that people would think that he was the father, but somehow she displeased him.
· Have we ever had situations that we felt caught: our heart says one thing but our mind says another? This is Joseph’s dilemma.
· Do you imagine that Joseph prayed for guidance?
Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
· Was Joseph looking for a way to remain just before God and be Mary’s husband? We don’t know. But the dream confirmed in his mind that what Mary may have told him was true. Without understanding how, Joseph accepted that the conception was through the power and plan of God.
· By identifying Joseph as a descendant of David fulfills the prophesy that stated that the Messiah would be of the house of David. By accepting the child as his own, Joseph is adopting him and thus brings Jesus into the Davidic line.
· It was the role of the man to name the child. This solidified his role as foster father of Jesus.
· The plan of God is revealed also for this child: he will save God’s people from their sins.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
· Matthew is fond of showing how Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophetic message of the Old Testament. Here is quoting Isaiah 7:14.
· “God is with us” Before leaving the Apostles Jesus said he would be with them until the end of time. He truly is Emmanuel.
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
· Joseph showed how righteous he was by his obedience to the word of God.
· What we have done in the same situation? Without God, Joseph would have followed his human instincts. Do we turn to God or follow our head?
Today, the Church begins the final preparation for the celebration of Christmas. "The Roman Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.
December 17
O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge.
Pray this prayer today, recognizing that Jesus is the Wisdom of God who teaches us the path of salvation.
"The Virgin Mary perfectly incarnates the spirit of Advent; this spirit is one of listening to God, of profound desire to do his will, of joyous service to our neighbor. Letting ourselves be guided by her, so that the God who comes does not find us closed and distracted, but can, in each one of us, extend a part of his kingdom of love, of justice and of peace." (Pope Benedict XVI)
Mary prepared for the birth of her Son by living in the moment doing the will of the Father. Her "fiat" was a living, daily response in all she did. She trusted in the Lord. When told about Elizabeth's pregnancy, she went with haste to serve her cousin in her need. Returning to Nazareth, obviously with child, she trusted God would make clear to Joseph and her parents what He had brought forth. Knowing the prophesy that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, she traveled with Joseph at the end of her term to fulfill the plan of God. Reflect on Mary's "fiat" and imitate her "fiat" as you prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth.
Prayer for the lighting of the Third Candle on the Advent Wreath
As we draw near to you, Lord God, keep us aware of your presence in all we do. Come with power to enlighten us by your grace, that we may live in praise and peace all our days. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux talks about three comings of Christ. In the first coming, the Word of God became man and dwelt among us. He came to redeem and reconcile us to God. The Virgin Mary's role was central. In and through her humanity God chose to enter into our world. Mary conceived Jesus by the grace of the Holy Spirit but became the dwelling place for Jesus for nine months by nature. During Advent we are called to become conscious of Jesus' dwelling within us by grace, not just for nine months but forever. Not only to be conscious of his presence but we are to respond to that presence with attentiveness and love. By nature I live a human life. By grace I live in relationship with God, sharing his divine life. While I may take the first for granted. The second is a unique gift from God that I need to respond to by cherishing it in love.
"Preparing ourselves to receive Christ requires first and foremost an attitude of intense and trusting prayer. Making room for him in our hearts demands a serious commitment to convert to his love." (St. John Paul II)
How much do we long for a greater relationship with Jesus? How central is Jesus in our life? How much quality time do we spend with Jesus so that we can come to know him better? A relationship is built on an intentional commitment to the other and an opening of ourselves to the other by sharing our life more intimately.
Jesus has a gift to give us this Christmas. The gift is himself in a deeper relationship. But as great as that gift is, we can only receive as much as we are opened and prepared to receive. Spend time with Jesus. Long for him. Say "Yes" to him.
Homily:
Third Sunday of Advent Year A
Reading
1: To understand Isaiah we have to put ourselves back in his time. The people
of Israel have been conquered by their enemies, because they did not live up to
their covenant with God. They had forsaken the God of their ancestors. They are
in exile from their homeland. In the midst of this desolate reality Isaiah
gives them a message of hope. God will come to save them. Like the desert after
a spring rain blossoms with flowers, so God will restore them. They will see
the glory of God, his divine power.
What
shall be signs of confirmation that God is saving his people? The blind will
see, the deaf hear, the crippled restored. And the people in exile will return
to Jerusalem singing for joy.
What
was prophesied by Isaiah became a reality when the people were restored to
Jerusalem. In time what was desolated and destroyed was restored to a greater
glory. God once more saved his people.
But
we know this prophetic word, though initially fulfilled by the return from
exile, its complete fulfillment took place by the coming of Jesus. God became
man to save his people from the eternal exile of separation from him. The signs
and wonders spoken of by Isaiah performed by Jesus was the clear sign of who he
was. Recognizing this should give us great joy, resulting in thanksgiving to
God for fulfilling his promises.
Gospel:
There are two parts. The first is addressed to John and his disciples; the
second is addressed to the crowd about the significance of John and his
ministry.
John
may have presumed that Jesus would continue the Baptist’s ministry, primarily
preaching a message of repentance and confronting the moral wrongs of the day.
Jesus does preach repentance and calls for reform of one’s life. But he goes
beyond. His is a ministry of love and mercy, compassion and service towards
those afflicted either by natural causes or spiritual bondage.
Jesus
identifies his mission as the one we heard in the first reading from Isaiah. He
has come to save and restore. No, John, you are not wrong in recognizing Jesus
as the Messiah. You were wrong in your expectations of him.
To
the crowds Jesus affirms the ministry of John as a prophet, not just any
prophet, but the prophet who would come in the spirit of Elijah. His mission
was to prepare the way of the Lord and point him out when he came. Not only is
he a prophet, but because of his role, his significance is unique.
Birth
by nature is special; but birth by grace into the kingdom of God is greater.
John is called to recognize the true identity and ministry of Jesus; the people
were called to recognize and honor the unique role John played in the history
of salvation. We are called to realize what God has done for us and respond
with gratitude and in a way of life commensurate with the grace of salvation.
Reading
2: Last Sunday we heard that the Scriptures were given to us to teach us
patience and encouragement. The promise of God will be fulfilled. Today, again
we are called to wait with patience for the coming of the Lord in glory. As the
farmer, who plants the seed waits with patience for it to bear fruit, so must
we.
Last
week we were told to live in one accord with one another, so that with one
voice we may glorify God. Today, we are told do not grumble against one
another. Do not focus on the fault of others. Do not stand in judgment towards
others. Like Jesus we are to endure our sufferings at the hands of other by
fixing our eyes on the coming as the Lord. It takes a bigger person to bless
and not to curse; to rejoice and not to retaliate.
"The time for promises was in the time of the prophets, until John the Baptist; from John until the end is the time of fulfillment....He promised eternal salvation, everlasting happiness with the angles, an immortal inheritance, endless glory, the joyful vision of his face, his holy dwelling in heaven, and after resurrection from the dead no further fear of dying. This is as it were his final promise, the goal of all our striving. When we reach it, we shall ask for nothing more. But as to the way in which we are to arrive at our final goal, he has revealed this also, by promise and prophecy. He has promised men divinity, mortals immortality, sinners justification, the poor a rising in glory." (St. Augustine)
I hope this excites you as it excites me. How great and how good is our God to us who are undeserving! Our response, as insignificant as it seems, is gratitude and living in a way that reflects our gratitude.
Third Sunday of Advent Gospel A
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
· Why is John questioning whether Jesus is the Messiah or not? John’s understanding of what the Messiah would do was different than what Jesus was doing. He was expecting a fire and brimstone Messiah.
· John knows that his time is coming to an end and he wanted to be reassured that his life was not for naught. Ever questioned whether your life had meaning, given the circumstances?
Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
· Jesus reassures John that his ministry is actually fulfilling the prophecies concerning the Messiah, especially those of Isaiah. (Isaiah 26:19; 29:18-19; 35:5-6; 61:1).
· Jesus is asking John to trust in the Father’s plan for him rather than in John’s own expectations.
· Jesus wasn’t rebuking John for his questions but urging him to stand firm in his own conviction that he did the right thing.
· How hard is that for us to trust in the Father’s plan when it is different than what we want?
As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
· Jesus now affirms John’s ministry and identifies that he was truly a prophet of God. To do this Jesus cites the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the messenger who would prepare the way of the Messiah.
· What is Jesus saying about John and himself? John was the prophesied forerunner pointing the Messiah out and Jesus was the Messiah whom John pointed to.
· What do we apply from this passage in our own lives?
"At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God's own love and concern." St Teresa of Calcutta
Love and service are basic Christian attitudes. But these two are especially meaningful during this season of Advent when our focus is on preparing our heart to celebrate Christ's birth. He came to us out of love in order to serve our need for salvation. The ways we love and serve others consciously will become our response to Christ. What can you do today to show love and service to others because you want to offer these as your gifts to Jesus?
As we move into the second week of Advent, are we still in the spirit of Advent? Is our focus on the celebration of the coming of the Lord or on a family holiday? If it is the former, then what are we doing to be more open to his coming in the present moment? If we sometimes find ourselves moving from one focus to the other, it may help us to pray this prayer at different times during the day: "Come, Lord Jesus, come". It is so easy to forget whose birthday it is and why he came. Without a conscious effort, it will be easy for us to arrive at Christmas and find that we are not prepare to welcome his now coming into our lives. We forgot to heed the prophetic call of John the Baptist: "Prepare the way of the Lord."
Prayer for lighting 2nd week of Advent wreath candle
God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
"Each year, as the Church recalls this mystery, she urges us to renew the memory of the great love God has shown us. This holy season teaches us that Christ's coming was not only for the benefit of his contemporaries; his power has still to be communicated to us all. We shall share his power, if, through holy faith and the sacraments, we willingly accept the grace Christ earned for us, and live by that grace and in obedience to Christ. The Church asks us to understand that Christ, who came once in the flesh, is prepared to come again. When we remove all obstacles to his presence he will come, at any hour and moment, to dwell spiritually in our hearts, bringing with him the riches of his grace." (St. Charles Borromeo, Pastoral Letter)
How conscious are we of the coming of Jesus at different moments of our day? What are the obstacles in our lives that block him from coming into us in a fresh new way now? Is it a lack of attentiveness? Lack of love? Lack of desire? He is standing at the door of our hearts, knocking and waiting for us to open our hearts to him? Each act of love, each sign of service, each intentional prayer of gratitude are invitations to him to come with his presence and love.
Homily
Second Sunday of Advent Year A
Reading
1: Last Sunday, the prophet Isaiah invited us to come to the Lord to receive
instructions so that we may able to walk in the light of the Lord. Today, the
Church continues to listen to the prophet Isaiah. He tells us good news of
hope. Even though things may look lifeless and hopeless, like an old stump of a
tree, life will bud forth, a shoot shall break forth.
This
was an allusion of the future Messiah. The Spirit of God will anoint him in his
humanity for his own personal growth in his relationship with God: wisdom,
understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge and fear of the Lord. These are
the same gifts we received in Baptism, so that we can delight in the Lord.
Last
Sunday, Isaiah talked about peace: one nation will not rise against another.
This Sunday he speaks of the harmony between human beings and the animal world.
When the Messiah comes he will restore relationship between us and God and
between us and all creation. The same as it was before the Fall. And the focus
is to free us to come to be filled with the knowledge of God. Not only is this
peace for Israel but for the Gentiles as well. Advent is a time for us to
fulfill what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection, namely,
peace and harmony between God and us and us with others.
Gospel:
As Isaiah was a prophet of hope, so John the Baptist is a prophet of hope. His
role was to prepare the way for the Messiah. He does this by calling people
into true and sincere repentance for their sins and to express this inner
repentance through an external sign, baptism. But for this external sign to
bear good fruit, they must turn away from sin, so that when the Messiah comes
they can receive him. It will be then that they will be able to act on his
word.
They
are to prepare with expectation, because what the Messiah will do is baptize
them in the Holy Spirit and fire. John’s baptism was a preparatory step to the
greater gift that Jesus will offer, namely the Holy Spirit. Jesus will begin,
like John, calling for repentance for sins which prepares the person for the
grace of reconciliation and forgiveness through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Like John’s call for some fruit in a person’s life, Jesus too calls for the fruit
of witnessing to what God has done for us in the power of the Holy Spirit.
How
many people were baptized by John and how many of these became open to the ministry
and word of Jesus? How many persevered in their walk of faith? We have been
baptized, we have been forgiven, we have been fed, we have been anointed. Where
is the fruit, the evidence in our lives? Advent is a new beginning, a new
response, a new longing for a fresh coming of Jesus and the Spirit into our
lives. But it is a times of fruit on our part.
Reading
2: Paul is also a prophet of hope. He reminds us that the scriptures are
written for our instruction, so that as we hear and act on God’s word, we might
have the hope, giving us endurance in the midst of life’s difficulties. The
source of our endurance and encouragement is God.
As
Jesus died for all, we are called to be at one with all, to be at peace.
Through
this harmony and peace we praise and glorify God. Unity and peace was the
prayer of Jesus at the Last Supper. The exchange of peace at Mass is not just
an external ritual but needs to be a reflection of our way of life.
As
Paul said: “Welcome one another as Christ welcomed you,” Advent reminds us that
if there is no room for others in our heart then there is no room for Jesus
there.
"We do not preach only one coming of Christ, but a second as well, much more glorious than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom. In general, what relates to our Lord Jesus Christ has two aspects. There is a birth from God before the ages, and a birth from a virgin at the fullness of time. There is a hidden coming, like that of rain on fleece, and a coming before all eyes, still in the future. At the first coming he was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. At his second coming he will be clothed in light as in a garment. In the first coming he endured the cross, despising the shame; in the second coming he will be in glory, escorted by an army of angels. We look then beyond the first coming and await the second."(St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechese 15:1-3)
How attentive are we to this second coming of Christ? How prepared are we for this second coming? It is as distant and as imminent as death. As we are not to fear death, so we are not to fear his coming in glory at the moment of our death. If we are not preparing ourselves in the present moment for that eventuality, not in fear but in expectation of seeing Jesus face to face, then he may come when we least expect. Advent is our yearly reminder of this mystery of faith and certainty of fact.
Second Sunday of Advent Gospel Reflections A
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
· This call is consistent with the prophetic message of the Old Testament. John adds the urgency for the need to repent: the coming of the Messiah. Later, Jesus begins his own preaching in the same vein but adds the important message: Reform your lives and believe in the Good News.
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
· Matthew wants to connect the ministry of John to that of Isaiah. Matthew also wants to show that what John is doing is fulfilling the prophetic message of Old Testament.
· How does God want us to prepare the way for the Lord in our heart during this Advent season?
· What do we need to repent of and change in so as to better respond to the Word of God?
John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
· These are the trappings of a prophet, who totally commits himself to do the work he was sent to do and to totally depend on the Lord even for his sustenance.
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
· What was the difference between John’s baptism and the baptism inaugurated by Jesus? In one there is merely acknowledgement of sin so as to be better prepared to receive the Messiah. In the Sacrament of Baptism, there is the actual removal of sin and its effects in our life and the entering into the shared life of God. In the first, it is the effort of the individual that is central. In the other, it is the work of God that brings this about.
When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
· John is questioning the motives of these groups. He was aware of their self-righteousness based on their relationship with Abraham. They considered themselves the pure stock, almost above sin.
· It is interesting that Jesus is going to pick up on their relationship with Abraham in his encounters with them. Jesus confronted this conviction and said: “If Abraham was your father you would have accepted me. For Abraham rejoiced in seeing me.”
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
· What fruit are you bearing in your life?
· Jesus uses the same idea when he talks about a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit. Or when he cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit.
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
· John acknowledges that he is less than the Messiah. This is not just a statement of humility but a fact in who he is and who the Messiah is; what he does and what the Messiah will do.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
· What are the qualities of fire that John is emphasizing here?
· Does not Jesus use the same language in the parable of the wheat and the weeds?
· What does God want of you in response to your reflection on this passage?
"In the first coming, the Word was seen on earth and mingled with mankind, when, as He Himself affirmed, they saw Him and hated Him. In the last coming every person shall see the salvation of God, and they shall look on him whom they pierced. But the intermediate coming is occult, in it only the elect see Him within themselves, and their souls are thereby saved." (St. Bernard, De medio adventu et triplici innovatione)
We are in that intermediate coming which is hidden. He comes in his word, in the Sacraments, in one another. He comes in ways we least expect. As a result, we miss many of these comings of Jesus in the present moments of our lives. But in truth if we do not recognize and welcome Jesus in the present moment, how will we be able to be ready in his final coming? Ask for the grace to see him in the various ways he comes now into our lives; receive him in those moments with the hope of being ready at the final coming to be welcomed by him.
"All time, both history and in personal life, is expectation. Time itself is waiting, waiting not for another time, but for that which is eternal. (Paul Tillich)
We have a hard time waiting. And yet a lot of our time is waiting: waiting to be checked out at the store; waiting for our doctor's appointment; waiting for people to come for dinner. But some of our waiting has an expectancy to it, for instance, when we are waiting for the coming of a friend or waiting to hear a good report from our doctor.
This Advent season we are to have an expectancy in our hearts. What is that expectancy? To commemorate and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Unfortunately, we can get so caught up with the externals of Christmas that we miss the real meaning. It is not the decorations, the shopping, the presents, the preparation of the Christmas meal that are important. It is the preparation in our hearts to receive Jesus in a fresh new way at Christmas. This is what we truly should be waiting and expecting: a new birth of Jesus in our lives.
