God’s Kingdom is at Hand
Second Sunday of Advent – Year A
Today is the second Sunday of Advent. Christmas will be here soon. Today’s responsorial psalm reads: “Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.” And this refrain, is a beautiful statement that connects today’s readings.
In today’s second reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans, St. Paul encourages his listeners to think in harmony with each other by being faithful to Jesus Christ. When St. Paul wrote this, the Judeo-Christians and the pagans did not accept each other; for certain reasons there was conflict among them. The truth is, these indications of St. Paul are addressed to us, too. We are no different than the Judeo-Christians or pagans. Like them, we experience certain tensions in the Church, in our parish, at work, in our families, at school. Yet, we, like the Judeo-Christians and pagan converts, have the same obligation to mutually respect and accept each other. We must be patient towards each other, just as Jesus is patient towards us.
Some of you might be asking yourselves: “How it is possible to respect, accept, and be patient towards others?” The first reading gives us a little hint as to the answer to this question. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear about the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Isaiah tells us that Jesus will have the gifts of the Holy Spirit; He will possess a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD. We also hear how Jesus will care for the poor and give the people God’s law. And when the people acknowledge and follow God, there will be true peace and justice on the earth and in their hearts.
On this second Sunday of Advent, let us remember St. John the Baptist’s words and recognize that “the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Christ is with us, but Christ will also come again to mercifully judge us. Therefore, let us strive to be faithful to God by being faithful to the Ten Commandments, the teachings of the Church, and the Commandment of Love.
God created all nations and desires to save all peoples. And He continually creates one people of God; He sanctifies us by his Word, the Holy Spirit, and His Blood. I would like to invite you to take some time on this Sunday to pray: “Thank You Jesus for inviting me to be a child of God. Thank You for desiring to give me, my loved ones, and even my enemies peace both here on earth and in Heaven.”
Yours in Christ,
Father Arthur
Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent: Lectionary 4
Tags: #advent, #arthurmarat, #fatherarthurmarat, #frarthurmarat, #olwparish, #reflection
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