ADVENT WEEK II [YR. A] (Dec 7, 2025): Is 11:1-10; Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12. By: Rev. Fr. Clifford Atta Anim.

On one side, salvation is God’s gift and not something we can ever earn. We are saved because God freely pours out his grace. On the other side, we must cooperate with that grace, since God will not force his blessings on us or take away our freedom. This is why John the Baptist calls us in today’s Gospel to do our part through repentance, conversion, and a sincere renewal of life. By doing this, we prepare for the Lord’s final coming, and we also prepare for the yearly celebration of his first coming at Christmas. Advent becomes the time when we reform our habits, turn away from sin, and practice charity in a concrete way.

Scripture lessons

The first reading shows God promising to renew his people by sending the Messiah. Many kings after David had failed and led Israel astray, so the people were losing heart. Through Isaiah, God reassures them that a new King will arise from the line of Jesse, filled with the Spirit, and he will bring peace, justice, and right judgment to the earth (Isaiah 11:1 to 10).

The responsorial psalm presents this same figure with tenderness. Psalm 72 describes a King who defends the poor, lifts up the lowly, and protects all who suffer. This vision teaches us that the Messiah’s rule is marked not by power but by compassion.

In the second reading, Paul prays that the Jewish Christians in Rome will allow God to reform them. He urges them to draw strength from the Scriptures, to persevere with patience, and to live in unity with Gentile believers. They are to welcome one another as equal members of the same family as they wait together for Christ’s return (Romans 15:4 to 9).

In the Gospel, John the Baptist speaks directly to the Pharisees and Sadducees. He tells them that it is not enough to claim to belong to Abraham. They must show real evidence of conversion if they hope to recognize the Messiah when he comes (Matthew 3:1 to 12). To the ordinary people who expect the Messiah soon, he gives simple practical instructions: live with justice, avoid greed, share with those in need, and let your daily behavior reflect a heart that is being changed by God. In the same way, as we prepare for Christmas, John’s message is the same, prepare the way of the Lord.

Life messages

1. We prepare for Christ’s coming by allowing him to be born in us each day.

Advent invites us to repent of our sins, return to prayer, practice penance, and share our blessings generously. We begin by admitting our need for God. As Angelus Silesius once put it, Christ may be born many times in Bethlehem, but it means nothing until he is born in us. His point is simple, Christ must take root in our hearts so that his kindness, mercy, patience, and humility can shine through our actions.

2. We are called to real, practical change.

John the Baptist warns us not to settle for surface level adjustments. True conversion means repairing broken relationships, easing tensions, facing our family duties, avoiding dishonesty, and treating workers and employers fairly. It means choosing humble service and loving in concrete, simple ways. Both Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and Saint Teresa of Calcutta encouraged us to do small things with great love, because this is how Christ becomes visible in the world.

Following John’s instruction, let us remember Christ’s first coming, welcome his daily coming through the Sacraments and the Scriptures, and remain ready for his final coming at the moment of our death or at the end of time. God bless you.