ISAIAH 11: 1-10
PSALM 71: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 R. v. 1
ROMANS 15: 4- 9
MATTHEW 3: 1-12
This time and the Christmas season, besides being a busy time is always a time of joy. What makes it a joy filled time is that it is a time for the family to be together, to be planning things together. It is a time to spend time with close friends or to renew old friendship,
It is in this Spirit that many people are often willing to forgive one another. When this is difficult, something of the Spirit of the season is lost. This spirit of joy is a great reminder for us about what we are preparing to celebrate in the coming of the Lord Jesus. He came to bring reconciliation into our world, to heal relationships, between us and God and between ourselves.
The message of the first reading was given to a desperate people in exile. They wondered if God had abandoned them. It talks about the coming of the Messiah, and the two great gifts he would bring, two gifts that the world desperately needs, namely, justice and peace. Jesus, the Messiah would fulfill this expectation, bringing what the people were yearning for: justice, truth, order, peace and love for all peoples. It is about healing relationships.
In our second reading, Paul is stressing the message of the first reading to give us hope, comfort and courage so that we may give glory to God. In spite of all set-backs, confusion, frustration, etc., the Plan of God will be fulfilled. Paul talks about right relationships with each other.
John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of Jesus. His message is both an invitation and a promise: “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is close at hand.” Jesus brings the Kingdom of God precisely because he brings healing and reconciliation. Therefore the starting point for those who are seeking God’s kingdom is repentance, that is, recognising our sins that destroy relationships, a desire for a change of heart, and turning towards God who brings healing and restoration.
When we speak of God’s kingdom then, we speak about right relationships, where there is justice, peace, harmony, and perfect joy. If we are to reflect on our own relationships, we find that all of us have relationships that are hurting and difficult. During this time of the year there is usually a greater effort by us to be forgiving of one another. Unfortunately more often than not, this does not last beyond Christmas day.
Reconciliation is difficult for most of us, especially when we feel hurt. Often, when we extend forgiveness, we qualify them. One reality though where there is no reconciliation and we retain that anger and hatred, it is we who suffer most. We become the victims of our own hatred.
God’s message to us is to turn to seek His love and mercy that we may begin the road to healing and reconciliation. This is the central message of the readings today, and indeed to the whole season of Advent as celebrated in the church.
We do this in a special way in our church through the sacrament of reconciliation. The sacrament of reconciliation helps us to experience the love and mercy of God that we may find healing to be forgiving as well. It is God’s concrete way of helping us to encounter his healing love.
The truth of the Christian Gospel is that we are all in need of God’s mercy. The Gospel’s message is to seek God’s mercy that we will be able to face God’s justice.
Merredin Catholic Parish 