Commentary: Advent is a time of preparation. We prepare to celebrate Christmas when we commemorate the first coming of Christ at the Incarnation some 2,000 years ago. In that, we focus on the great and profound mystery of our faith that God became man. We also prepare for the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time. In fact, the word “Advent” means “coming.” We are reminded during this season that Christ is coming back and we look forward to that time with great anticipation and hope, while also doing our diligence to prepare well. The first reading today from Isaiah takes us back to the time of the Exile in Israel’s history. The Israelites were conquered and taken into captivity by the Babylonians. This was a low point in the Old Testament narrative of the history of Israel. Yet, today’s reading offers great hope. We hear in this passage the promise of the coming of the Lord. The people are called to “prepare the way” for His coming. God is coming to rescue His people and reign among them. This passage has dual meanings. First, in its original context, it refers to God saving His people from their exile and captivity and restoring them to the land of Israel with its great Temple in Jerusalem. Second, it points to the advent of Jesus Christ, when God would come to dwell with His people in the flesh. We see that second reference fulfilled in today’s Gospel.
Commentary: Today’s second reading focuses us on the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time. Christ’s return is imminent. We believe “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,” as we say in the Creed. But what does that mean? At the end of time there will be a final reckoning in which all people will be held accountable for how they lived on this earth. There are consequences for our actions and those consequences can even be eternal. God wants us to repent and turn to Him in love, but He also gives us the freedom to reject Him. God is patient with us. He does not want anyone to “perish but that all should come to repentance.” Still, it is up to us to decide whether or not we will follow Him. God went so far as to become one of us and die on a cross in order to save us. He has given everything we need to have new life in Him and get to Heaven. Yet, He won’t force us to accept that free gift. It is our choice. As Christians, He has poured out His grace upon us through the sacraments. We also must do our part. We are called, especially during this Advent season, to prepare to meet the Lord. This second reading reminds us to do this by “conducting [ourselves] in holiness and devotion.” We are to let the grace of God transform us and make us holy so we will be prepared for “the day of the Lord,” whenever that may be.
Commentary: In today’s Gospel, we hear the words from the first reading quoted. We see the ultimate fulfillment of those words in John the Baptist and the person of Jesus Christ. God’s full presence has come to dwell with His people through the Incarnation. John the Baptist was the precursor to Jesus, the Messiah. He prepared the way for His coming. In particular, we see Him announcing the coming of the Messiah and helping people prepare their hearts to meet Him by “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” What follows this passage is the baptism of Jesus by John, which began Jesus’ public ministry. Thus, we see here John preparing the people to encounter the living God as He would walk among them and minister to them through His preaching and healing. So, too, we are called to prepare to encounter Jesus. We are to open our hearts everyday to receive Him and let Him be the king of our lives. How do we do this? Just like in the Gospel, the first step is repentance of our sins so we can receive God’s forgiveness.
Taking it Home:
During Advent, in particular, we are called to prepare to encounter the Lord. Reflect on what you can do this Advent season to grow in “holiness and devotion.”
Take the opportunity this Advent to heed the call of today’s readings to repentance by visiting the Sacrament of Reconciliation. God is waiting there to offer you His forgiveness.