ADVENT PREPARATIONS: REPENTANCE
First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
Second Reading: Romans 15: 4-9
Gospel Reading: Matthew 3: 1-12
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah describes the person of Messiah when He comes. He will be an ideal king who will bring two great gifts into the world: Two gifts the world is in great need of- justice and peace. The signs of His kingdom are seen in the nature too; the wolf dwelling with the lamb; the leopard lies down with the kid; the calf and the lion live together. There is no hurt or destruction in nature. Advent is the ideal time to prepare for the coming of the Messiah: The king of peace and justice.
*Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Romans. Paul speaks about the importance of hope. He says that Jesus Christ is the hope of all humans. In Him we find hope, harmony and peace. Just as Jesus welcomes everyone to share the joys of His kingdom, we must extend a welcome to one another united in body and mind to offer glory to God.
John's call to repentance Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. We have the call of John the Baptist in the wilderness. John invites everyone to repent, for the kingdom of God is close at hand. John's appearance in the wilderness is rather eccentric. He wears a garment of camel's hair with a leather belt. He eats locusts and honey. John calls the people from all walks of life to repentance and to be baptized. Hence John's invitation for everyone is to have a change of heart. John warns that those who do not change their lives will face punishment. John recalls the infidelity of Israel . He speaks of the promised Messiah who would be more than he and who would exercise His authority and judgement. Thus the call to repentance that we hear in the season of Advent is addressed to all of us. We need to look into the areas in which we need to change. Hence we need to be transformed and to be touched by the forgiving love of God. Unless we accept our sins and failures and correct them, we cannot truly prepare for the coming of the Lord.
"Repentance means change and it takes a humble person to change." - E.T. Benson
"Of all acts of man, repentance is the most divine." -Thomas Carlyle
"How else but through a broken heart may the Lord Jesus Christ enter in." - Oscar Wild
No comments:
Post a Comment