Isaiah preached
during a time of collapse in Israel. The house of David looked broken. People
felt deceived by their rulers who cared more about power than justice. Into
that disappointment Isaiah announces a different kind of leader. A shoot will
rise from the stump of Jesse. This leader will carry the Spirit with fullness,
Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Strength, and Knowledge, Fear of the Lord. He
will judge with justice. He will defend the poor. Peace will mark his reign.
Even creation will share that peace.
This speaks to us today.
Many feel tired of false promises. How many leaders, political, civic, even
spiritual, have disappointed us? We keep voting, hoping, praying for someone
new, someone better… only to find the same pride, the same self-interest, the
same empty words. It’s easy to feel cynical about what is happening in our
world today. Even within the Church, divisions persist, between communities,
traditions, generations. We say “one body,” yet sometimes we forget that in
Christ we are one body.
Isaiah reminds us
that God does not abandon His people. The Messiah God promised comes to rule justice and truth. Advent invites us to
renew our hope in the One who brings justice without corruption. It invites us
to pray that His Spirit will reshape our own hearts so that we reflect His
justice and peace in our daily choices.
Romans 15:4-9: Paul writes to a church struggling with division.
Jewish and Gentile Christians looked at each other with suspicion. Controversies
and arguments threatened their unity and communion. Some felt superior to
others. Some felt unwelcome. Paul points to Scripture as the place where
believers gain endurance and hope. He reminds us that Christ welcomed all. He
calls them to accept one another so we praise God with one voice.
This is our world.
Many Christians still divide themselves. Some judge quickly. Others withdraw.
Advent challenges us to build unity. It pushes us to seek healing in our
relationships. It asks us to welcome each other with the same patience Christ
shows toward us. A divided Church cannot offer convincing witness. A reconciled
Church becomes a light that draws others to God. Unites we stand and divided we
fall!!!
The Gospel brings
us to the desert. John the Baptist reminds us the heart of Advent season; he
invites us experience “Renewal, Repentance”. John warns that belonging to a
religious group is not enough. God looks for fruit. He prepares the people for
the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Here Advent
reaches its depth. John announces a baptism that will change everything. Jesus
enters the Jordan. He takes our wounded humanity and plunges it into the water.
In that act He purifies what original sin has damaged in us. He reconnects us
with God. He makes us capable of holy living. He turns baptism into a new
creation. Through His baptism He sets us free to live as children of light.
This message
speaks directly to us. Many feel wounded, confused or spiritually tired. Some
struggle with sins that seem stronger than their will. The baptism of Christ
tells us that He has already stepped into our brokenness. He touched our
weakness. He carried it into the waters. He raised it to new life. Advent
invites us to return to that truth with deep gratitude.
The Lord does not
enter our lives from a distance. He walks into the desert with us. He enters
the water for us. He strengthens what is weak. He restores what is wounded. He
guides us toward a life marked by justice, mercy and unity.
Let us welcome Him with hope. Let us prepare
our hearts with sincerity. Let us pray for the grace to live as people renewed
by His Spirit.🙏🙏🙏
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