Posted: 12/1/2010 5:12:18 PM EDT
December 5, 2010
 First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 [1] And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root. [2] And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. [3] And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears. [4] But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: land he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. [5] And justice shall be the girdle of his loins: and faith the girdle of his reins. [6] The wolf shall dwell with the lamb: and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: the calf and the lion, and the sheep shall abide together, and a little child shall lead them. [7] The calf and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall rest together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8] And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp: and the weaned child shall thrust his hand into the den of the basilisk. [9] They shall not hurt, nor shall they kill in all my holy mountain, for the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the covering waters of the sea. [10] In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious. Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9 [4] For what things soever were written, were written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope. [5] Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ: [6] That with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [7] Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honour of God. 8] For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. [9] But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to thy name. [10] And again he saith: Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. [11] And again: Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and magnify him, all ye people. [12] And again Isaias saith: There shall be a root of Jesse; and he that shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, in him the Gentiles shall hope. [13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing; that you may abound in hope, and in the power of the Holy Ghost. [14] And I myself also, my brethren, am assured of you, that you also are full of love, replenished with all knowledge, so that you are able to admonish one another. [15] But I have written to you, brethren, more boldly in some sort, as it were putting you in mind: because of the grace which is given me from God. Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 [1] And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea. [2] And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [3] For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. [4] And the same John had his garment of camels' hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey. [5] Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan: [6] And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. [7] And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: Ye brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come? 8] Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance. [9] And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. [10] For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire. [11] I indeed baptize you in the water unto penance, but he that shall come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire. [12] Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Study Page Overview of the Gospel: * This Sunday’s gospel reading has the sudden appearance of John the Baptist preaching a message of repentance in the wilderness of Judea. Unlike the early chapters of Luke, this is the first time he is mentioned in Matthew’s gospel. * As he is baptizing the throngs that flock to hear him, John confronts the religious leaders who come to be baptized by him (verse 7). Recognizing their hypocrisy, he tells them their faith and deeds, like Abraham’s, must match their words (verses 8-9). * John’s baptism was penitential, meaning that it was a ritual cleansing, an outward sign of interior preparation to meet the anticipated Messiah. This differs from Christian baptism, a sacrament that actually confers grace and cleanses from sin. * John the Baptist has a twofold mission: to prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus, and to testify to him when he comes. As we see in the very next verse following our reading (verse 13), Jesus is coming sooner than they think. Questions: * In the 1st Reading from the prophet Isaiah, who is he describing? In practical terms, how is the messianic kingdom described by Isaiah fulfilled, not only in the future, but here and now? * In verses 8 and 9 of the 2nd Reading, St. Paul states that Jesus came in history for two reasons; what are they? How are those fulfilled in the 1st Reading? The 2nd Reading? How well are they being fulfilled in your life when others recognize you as a Catholic Christian? * What was John the Baptist like? Why would anyone go out of their way to hear this radical preacher? Who did they think he was (2 Kings 1:8; John 1:19-23)? * Assume that John the Baptist is speaking to you personally about repenting because “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” What is repentance? What repentance do you think God has in mind for you to do? What is the “kingdom of heaven?” How would you paraphrase John’s message (verse 2) for people today? * Assume further that John addressed you as one of the “brood of vipers.” How might that figure apply to you? How would you respond to John’s accusation? * What does this passage say to you as followers of Christ? Are you “comfortable” with its challenges? Where does repentance still need to happen in your life? |
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* In the 1st Reading from the prophet Isaiah, who is he describing? In practical terms, how is the messianic kingdom described by Isaiah fulfilled, not only in the future, but here and now?
Isaiah is describing the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. In Jesus' time, the House of David had fallen on hard times; it was of little power or glory. So the coming of the Messiah would be that of a new "re-birth," a vigorous new growth, but all in meekness and humility. Through absolutely lovely poerty, Isaiah describes how this direct descendant of Jesse (king David's father) shall rise up, like a tree shoot. By Jesus coming to us, if we listen to him and follow his teachings, "heaven on earth" is possible. The here-and-now can become Heaven if we do the will of the Father, as expressed through Jesus' words and actions. God's infinite mercy and justice would create a world where the lion would lay down with the lamb. Advent is really a season in 2 parts, with the 1st two weeks concerned with the Lord's coming as Judge of all at the end of time and the 2nd two weeks serving as the proximate preparation for His coming in the flesh. Ever mindful, our activities, like the Church's readings, should reflect that dual character. Isaiah is warning us all, just as St. John the Baptist warned the scribes and pharisees: "The time is NOW!" St. John was baptising as a sort of ritual "purification" for the coming of the true baptisim of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus would do. 
"Lord,Jesus..I await your coming in joy. Have mercy on me a sinner!" |