Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah  11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matt.3:1-12 " Prepare the Way of the Lord "

Waiting for an event to occur or for some important person to arrive, engages people in much pondering and reflection on the upcoming event or the person who is soon to be among us.  

The  season of Advent always evokes memories of my early childhood.   I recall at the age of three, seeing my Father leave for Singapore at the outbreak of WW11.    I did not see him again until I was eight.   During his absence my Mother and we children prayed daily that Dad would return to us.     My Mother never gave up hope in God, that Dad would survive, despite his being taken a P.O.W. in Changi, and afterwards consigned to the Burma Railway

Dad was ‘missing in action’ for some time, but our hope for his return did not wane.  At the end of the war, lists of names appeared in newspapers of POW’s who had been released, however, Dad’s name was not listed.   My Mother still didn’t give up hope that her prayers would be answered.  Soon she received three telegrams, telling of Dad’s release, the day for his departure and the date for his arrival in Australia.   There was much thanksgiving, rejoicing, and preparation as we waited our Father’s homecoming.   It was almost Christmas and what a wonderful gift!

During Advent the readings for Mass help us to reflect on  the one who came among us, our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of his return at the end of time.  In both the Old and the New Testaments we read how the people waited and  hoped for Jesus the Saviour to come into the world, and to be prepared for the second coming.   They thought this return was imminent.

In today’s readings for the second Sunday of Advent, we too are urged to  live in the hope of Jesus’ second coming.  

Isaiah, prophesies about a ruler who is to come,
one who will establish a kingdom of peace and justice.

‘A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse,
a scion thrusts from his roots;
on him the spirit of the Lord rests,’ 
‘He will be the one who will judge the people
with integrity and Equity’.

St Paul in his letter to the Romans 15:4-9 exhorts the people to have hope in God.   He reminds them of the scriptures that were written long ago and how the people of old did not give up hope and were helped by God.

In the gospel, John foretells the second coming of Jesus, reminding the faithful ones to be hopeful, and the less faithful to be ready!

How we would have loved to be able to do kind things for Dad when he was suffering!  We can, however, do kindnesses for Jesus as we await his coming: whatever we do for others, we do for him.  Let us be mindful of that in this time of expectation.

Maureen Rigby op

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