Readings: 1st Reading; Isaiah 11 : 1 – 10,                 Responsorioal Psalm; Ps.71 : 1 – 2, 7 – 8, 12 – 13., 17
                2nd Reading; Romans 15 : 4 – 9,
                Gospel; Matthew 3 : 1 – 12.

What we hear in the first reading today is a biblical poem about the person of the coming Messiah. Lineage is important for royal authenticity. The Messiah will come from the kingly line of Jessie, Saul and David. The ‘Longed-for’ will resemble these previous care-takers of the Holy People of God. He will have the gifts given by God’s Spirit: wisdom, strength of character, a strong sense of justice and above all, a trust in God.

Justice for all will surround all his breathing and he will not be moved by the power of the wicked, or the appearances of wealth. In short, he will be worth waiting for, watching for, and hoping for, because other rulers of the people have not served well.

The Gospel presents John the Baptist heralding the coming of the Messiah. John the Baptist’s life was fueled by one burning passion — to point others to Jesus Christ and to the coming of His kingdom. Who is John the Baptist and what is the significance of his message for our lives? Scripture tells us through Jesus Himself who had just been conceived by the Holy Spirit, that John was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15, 41)  When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, John lept in her womb as they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41). The fire of the Spirit dwelt in John and made him the forerunner of the coming Messiah. John was led by the Spirit into the wilderness prior to his ministry where he was tested and grew in the word of God. John’s clothing was reminiscent of the prophet Elijah (see Kings 1:8).  

John broke the prophetic silence of the previous centuries when he began to speak the 
word of God to the people of Israel.  His message was similar to the message of the Old Testament prophets who chided the people of God for their unfaithfulness and who tried to awaken true repentance in them. Among a people unconcerned with the things of God, it was his work to awaken their interest, unsettle them from their complacency, and arouse in them enough good will to recognise and receive Jesus when he came. John the Baptist stands as a sign-post pointing out the right way for us to the Saviour.  When John heralds, the Pharisees hasten to his call, but when the King will finally arrive, the angels will sing and it will be the shepherds hastening.

When we are lost, looking for our way tiredly and feeling hopeless and finally we find a sign post pointing to the direction we are looking for, we become very grateful for the sign post or at least those who kept it there for us. John the Baptist is a sign post that does not only show the way but also warns you about the manner you will need to get 
along your newfound way. John the Baptist calls us to repent for the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repentance is a change of ways. To live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often. The coming of Jesus leaves us with a challenge to change from our old ways to the new.

What John the Baptist tells the Pharisees is what he tells us today. Change! For the Kingdom is nearby! A Christian person is one who is open to change and to all other persons because he/she sees Christ in  all other persons. We are all accountable, not only for our own sins, but for everything and everybody. When people understand this, the Kingdom of God will no longer be a dream but a reality.

In order to change the world, people’s thinking must be changed. There can be no brotherhood of man until all men become brothers and sisters to one another.There is no science, no order based on the pursuit of material gain, that will enable people to share their goods fairly and to respect each other’s rights.
As a Christian, you are suppose to be, like John, a sign post pointing the way to Jesus. Do your actions show the way to Jesus or scare unbelievers from Him? You may not need to shout like John, maybe you already have a hoarse cracked voice my mine. Save it!. All that is very necessary especially during this period of Advent is to act in that way that is Christ-like. Then His kingdom will truly come on earth.

For this Heaven on earth to come about, people must end their isolation, pretense, hatred, malice and begin to love. In the end this will happen. People will realise how unnatural it is for them to isolate themselves from one another, hate each other, blackmail, and they will look back in amazement at the time they sat in darkness and refused to see the 
light. Until that day comes, we must keep hope alive and now and then someone must set an example. Let each and every one of us be that example.

A Little Prayer.

Lord Jesus, help me to prepare your way, making your path straight, so that all mankind can see the salvation of God. May I do this with wisdom to enable justice and peace to flourish. Lord, come King of Justice and Peace! Amen.

Have a Blessed Week!
Bobe Talla Toh.