2nd Sunday of Advent (Year A)
Isaiah 11:1-10 | Psalm 71(72):1-2,7-8,12-13,17 | Romans 15:4-9 | Matthew 3:1-12
A voice cries in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight. (Matthew 3:3, ref. Isaiah 40:3)
On paper, St. John the Baptist acted alone, but by faith, we know that God was always with him, as He is with all who remained faithful despite virulent opposition.
St. Paul confirms the second part when he tells the Romans:
Everything that was written long ago in the scriptures was meant to teach us something about hope from the examples scripture gives of how people who did not give up were helped by God. (Romans 15:4)
In modern times, we are beset on all sides by what’s best described as anti-faith, a prevailing sentiment that God doesn’t matter, that we need to look out for our own interests above all others, that anyone who shows consideration to others at some cost to himself is a sucker.
This is most vividly illustrated during a typical train journey, where almost everyone is either laser-focused on their mobile screens, or “ninja-napping” (leaning back with their eyes closed, seemingly in deep sleep but miraculously able to jump up and exit at their intended stop), or simply ignoring any boarding passengers, for fear they might see someone who needs a seat.
And when someone jumps up and cheerfully offers their seat, it sometimes seems that the mood of the other seat-hoggers actually darkens, almost as if they were hurling mental daggers at the benefactor for making them look bad.
When confronted with such general selfishness, it’s easy for us to lose hope, to let slip our Christian love for others and join the ranks of the me-firsters. It’s easy for us to sing hallelujah and serve the disadvantaged when surrounded by other believers, but when we’re alone among spiritual wolves, our courage usually takes a grievous pummeling.
It is then, brothers and sisters, that we need to redouble our efforts to break through our own reluctance to “rock the boat”, to do the right thing because it’s the right thing. It’s usually best to start by reminding ourselves that God is always with us, that it may be a good idea to let go of our own need to control our words and actions in such a situation, and let God’s love work through us to make things right.
But reaching such a state of trust in God requires frequent prayer, so that’s where we should start. I now begin my first journey every day with a rosary, through which I’ve felt a greater confidence over time that He has our best interests in mind, and a reduced reluctance to “get involved” with situations around me.
Would you care to join me in spirit?
Amen.