December 8 - Second Sunday in Advent : A voice crying in the wilderness

First Reading Isaiah 11:1-10
A descendent of Jesse will usher in a time of peace.

 

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17
The Messiah will bring justice and peace to the nations.

 

Second Reading Romans 15:4-9
Both Jews and Gentiles glorify God for the salvation found in Christ Jesus.

 

Gospel Reading
Matthew 3:1-12

 

The Church’s use of John the Baptist over the Advent Season invites us to join John’s audience in these days of preparation. The kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the one who is able to separate the wheat from the chaff is coming. John never saw a superhighway, but he uses the image in order to prepare the way for the coming of the world’s most wonderful and most extraordinary traveller, the Messiah Jesus, into our lives. The highway John wishes to construct is within our hearts. It hasn't a number, but it does have a name-conversion. Conversion results when a person realizes profoundly that the message and the life of Jesus make sense and is infinitely desirable. Conversion takes place when Jesus and his message cut through the moments of pain, tears, worry, fear and uneasiness in our lives. Conversion means meeting Jesus in his word and allowing Him to become directly involved in our lives. Once this happens, life can never be the same for us.