Homily – Second Sunday of Advent (A)

As we move into the second week of Advent the energy, imagery and expectancy rises in the texts of the liturgy.  The text from Isaiah provides us with contrasting images and metaphors: the wolf living with the lamb; the panther lying down with the kid; the calf and lion feeding together.  These images help to create for us the dream that God has for the world, a world where justice will flourish and peace will last forever.  The shoot that will spring from Jesse, according to Isaiah will bring a spirit of wisdom and insight, a spirit of counsel and power, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.  When I read this last list it makes me think of the gifts of the Spirit that we usually reserve for talk about Confirmation.  It makes me wonder if Advent is a time for us to revisit our Confirmation names and reflect again on the gifts of the spirit.  It may be a time to call on the Holy Spirit to visit us once again and complete in us what was begun in our Confirmation.

The Church also gives us a text from Chapter 3 of Matthew’s Gospel.  John the Baptist is preparing the way for Jesus.  Matthew’s text makes it clear that Jesus is superior to John (perhaps a clue that the followers of John were still in existence at the end of the first century).  The text looks forward to the role that Jesus will play at the end of time.  Matthew will have more to say about Jesus and the end of time later in the gospel.

In the Advent season there are perhaps a couple of themes we could pick up from Matthew’s text.  Daniel Harrington’s commentary points out three things that Matthew is keen for John to portray to those who came to change their lives.  These are represented in his attack on some Pharisees and Sadducees.  John warns them of three things:

1. Not to imagine that the ritual of baptism alone will protect them.
2. Not to think that belonging to the children of Abraham will protect them.
3. Not to waste the time that is left.

We could reflect on these three things in our own lives.  First of all, this is a good reminder, according to Scripture commentator, Daniel Harrington, that there is nothing magical or automatic about baptism.  While the Holy Spirit visits us and fills us with God’s presence despite our weaknesses and failings the words of the promises are serious and imply the pursuit of an active spiritual life backed up with a Christian ethic.

Like the gifts of the Holy Spirit perhaps our baptism promises could be revisited during Advent.  We could again, call on the Lord to come and complete the work of baptism that he began in us many years ago.  If I believe in the creator, then I live within the created world in a particular way.  If I believe in Jesus Christ, his life death and resurrection than I will approach death and darkness in a way that opens up to light and life.  If I believe in the Holy Spirit, then I am drawn into a life of prayer and discernment.

Second, just as Matthew warns his listeners not to hide behind the claim that they are children of Abraham, so we should remember we are more than just our heritage.  I am not just a Reed.  I am not just a priest in the line of Catholic tradition.  My personal life, actions and responsibilities matter.  This is what the bishops of the Church, worldwide, have been criticized for in the various inquiries into the abuse of children.  Too often the bishops of the Church acted in a way that put the reputation of the institution and its office bearers ahead of the suffering of victims.

Each of us is called into authentic Christian living

And third, Matthew implores us, ‘don’t waste the time that is left’.  Advent is the season to call on the Lord to complete the good work that he has begun in each of us.  It is a ‘now’ time.  It is the time for us to implore the Lord to visit us once again and make of us a Holy people, living in faith, hope and love.  These are the very things that our baptism and Confirmation call us to live.