Gospel – Matthew 3:1-12
Second Sunday of Advent

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.”

Reflection on Sunday Gospel

Let us remember we are in the holy presence of God…

Are you ready to walk in the footsteps of John the Baptist? Usually, we’re asked if we’re ready to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Today, however, the Gospel calls us to reflect on whether or not we are ready to be John the Baptist to those we meet in our families, faculties, classrooms, and teams. Not are we ready to walk in the footsteps of Jesus but are we ready to lead those around us to Jesus? Are we ready to face the challenge of “preparing the way of the Lord,” so that those we interact with will have the opportunity to see the salvation of God?

In his meditation for the second Sunday of Advent, St. John Baptist de La Salle reminds us, “You too, as well as Saint John are real angels sent by God to prepare a path for Jesus, so that he can enter your own hearts and those of your disciples.”  This is an awesome responsibility. How blessed John the Baptist was! He was gifted with the responsibility of leading those who listened and followed him to Jesus.

We rise each morning with that same charge, to challenge those who listen and follow us to allow Jesus to enter their hearts. It is important that we carry out this mission with our words but even more importantly that we witness it with the lives we lead. John the Baptist hung out in the desert, wore camel’s hair, ate locusts and wild honey to draw attention to himself. How do we alert those entrusted to our care that we are serious about leading them to Jesus? Do our actions correspond to the words we speak each day?

As we journey through the Advent Season of 2013, let us challenge ourselves to be men and women who model the life of John the Baptist. Let us be conscious of the fact that we are called like John to “prepare the way” for others to encounter Jesus in their mind and heart and that they will be more inclined to be open to that call when they see us living authentic lives committed to the Gospel.

St. John Baptist de La Salle … Pray for Us!
Live Jesus in our Hearts … Forever!

Br. Richard Galvin, FSC