CATHOLIC CONVERSATIONS ON THE SCRIPTURES Archdiocese of Miami - Ministry of Christian Formation Saturday, December 8: Immaculate Conception (Holy Day)

December 9, 2007 2nd Sunday of Advent (Cycle A)

Gospel reading Matthew 3:1-12 [To be read aloud]

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven* is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan** is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” * “Heaven” is a substitute for the name “God” that was avoided by devout Jews of the time out of reverence. * A forklike shovel with which the threshed wheat was thrown into the air.

Brief commentary:

Most Scripture scholars believe that the infancy narratives of Matthew’s Gospel (chapters 1 and 2) were written down after the rest of the Gospel. In that case, the verses that we read today would have been the beginning of the story of Jesus, just as it is in the Gospel of Mark. The main character in this passage is John the Baptist, the last of the great Jewish prophets. The prophets of Israel were seldom accepted by priests and kings, because of their faithfulness to God that transcended their obedience to religious and political authorities. John the Baptist appears as one of them preaching outside the official world of his time. As with the prophets of Israel, the messenger was not as important as the content of the message; his preaching was summarized in the same words as Jesus’ preaching in 4:17: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Both men demanded a radical conversion of the total person to God as preparation for the new age when the God of Israel would be recognized as the Lord by all creation.

Today’s reading offers three significant messages:

● John’s ritual of baptism was a symbolic action signifying that conversion of heart had taken place. ● The clothing of John recalls the austere dress of the prophet Elijah described in 2 Kings 1:8. According to Matthew, the expectation of the return of Elijah was fulfilled in the Baptist. ● John’s preaching was directed to Pharisees and Sadducees linked together by Matthew as enemies of Jesus.

For our shared or personal reflection: After a brief pause for silent reflection share your answers, ideas or feelings.

1. What changes do I need to make to prepare for the celebration of Christmas? Explain.

2. In what ways am I contributing to the full realization of the kingdom of peace among us?

Suggested readings: Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 523-524; 535-537; 678; 1223-1224.