Homily For Second Sunday of Advent Year A, 4th December, 2022

Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Ps.72; Rom. 15:4-9; Matt. 3:1-12

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

THE TIME TO REPENT IS NOW FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS VERY MUCH AT HAND 

Looking around us and reflecting on what is going on in our world today, it is obvious that we are so busy preparing, acquiring and safeguarding the things of this passing world. But only few persons are preparing for the future reality of human existence, that is, our eternal life in God’s Kingdom. Little wonder, the Church for the past seven days now, have been schooling us in the important of the liturgical Season of Advent, calling our attention to the need for us to be prepared and be opened to embrace the coming King, our Lord Jesus, who is the King of Peace that is coming to dwell among the fallen humanity, in order to save us from sin and damnation. 

Thus, today, the Second Sunday of Advent, we are presented with the theme of intensive preparation following the cry of John the Baptist who preaching in the wilderness of Judea as he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins saying:  “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand’“ (Mt 3: 1-2). His mission was to prepare and clear the way for the Lord, calling us to repent from our sins and to correct every injustice. John the Baptist, with this commanding words, announced the imminent judgement of the Lord saying: “Every tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt 3: 10). 

With this message, John put people on guard against the hypocrisy of those who felt safe merely because they belonged to the Chosen People. In God’s eyes, he says, no one has reason to boast but must bear good fruit that befits repentance. John the Baptist’s appeal for conversion rings out in our communities today. It is a pressing invitation to open up our hearts to receive Jesus the Son of God, who comes among us to make manifest the divine judgement of God. We too are called to listen to God’s voice, that cries out in the desert of our hearts through the Sacred Scriptures.

Hence, in this Season of Advent, we should let ourselves be guided by the word of God. From the first Reading the reign of David was the high point in the history of Israel, but his successors failed greatly, still the hope remained that a king, a future king will succeed where his predecessors have failed. Here, prophet Isaiah foretells, that even though the family tree of Jesse (David's father) has been reduced to a mere stump, nevertheless from this stump a new shoot, a new king will spring. 

He goes on to sketch a portrait of the true king: he will be filled with the Spirit of God and endowed with all the virtues of his ancestors: the wisdom and understanding of Solomon, the prudence and might of David, the knowledge and fear of the Lord just like the Patriarchs and prophets. So endowed, he will judge fairly and be the champion of the poor. In the second reading Paul sees Jesus as the one through whom God fulfills his promises, highlighting the value of hope and peace. While the gospel calls us to repentance in preparation for the coming of Christ the King of Peace 

Therefore, as we embrace this Second Sunday of Advent, our  focus moves from hope to that of peace where we look up to our Lord Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the Bearer of the everlasting peace and harmony which is really lacking in our world today. So, this Sunday we reflect on the Peace that God has bestowed on us through the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into this world. But a critical observation of what is going on in our world today, one may have to be greatly distressed and  worried especially as regards the crises of war, protests, secessions, killings, kidnapping and political deceptions which are talking different forms, only God knows other evil plots that are still on the way. This ugly situation has really taken away the peace we ought to enjoy in this world as many people are yet to recover from the direct and indirect effects from this terrible and ugly situations of coronavirus. 

Dear friends, the time to repent is now for the kingdom of God is very much at hand. For, in the wilderness of crisis in this passing world, we are called to prepare a way for the Lord’s peace to reign in our souls, in our families, in our societies and in our country. But the only thing that can deny us peace and the fruit of this season is sin such as: unforgivingness, hatred, greed, immorality. So, what is keeping us from turning away from this ugly ways of life? Why not repent from them so as to embrace the new life of peace Jesus is offering us? Are we finding it difficult to let go of our ugly sinful ways of life? It’s time to come to Jesus and ask for his grace.

Let us embrace the word of God we hear this season and truthfully share it with those we encounter, just like John the Baptist who stood for the truth of his mission and offered it to everyone, whoever, whenever and however it will best bring conversion to sinner. We too should do the same. We should be instruments of peace in our families, place of work and societies. Lord make us instruments of your peace…

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, as we prepare the way for Christ coming into our souls. Give us the grace to turn away from sin and embrace the new life of peace and holiness which Christ is offering us this season of Advent. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and joyful Sunday celebration.