2nd Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12
Oh no! Here he comes, John the Baptizer. The unruly herald who eats bugs with honey, dresses in camel hair, and calls us the spawn of vipers! The crazy second cousin of the Savior of the World comes demanding repentance in the middle of Advent craziness, or else.
C’mon man! Too much is going on already. We don’t want to be the chaff and be thrown into the unquenchable fire. So, why don’t you at least tell us which fruits we should bear to show repentance so we can get to it and move on?
Well, the good news is that someone more powerful has come near bearing a different kind of realm. He is the fulfillment of the promises of old and the one worthy of our watch. Indeed, he will judge the living and the dead. Nonetheless, judges do not always condemn. Isaiah proclaims that this judge comes from the stump, yet the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him. The realm he brings can be hard to fathom, lions and lambs, children and predators, beasts and life stock, living in safety and peace.
May we take to heart the words of St. Paul. “May the God of Hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13). May we sing with the psalmist. “May the righteous flourish” and “let there be an abundance of peace” (Psalm 71:7).
Bridging Faith 