2nd
Sunday of Advent A
Los Angeles, December 7th -8th,
2013
1st
Reading: the book of the Prophet Isaiah
11,1-10
Psalm
:71(72)
1-2,7-8,12-13,17
2º
Reading: the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans 15,4-9
Gospel: Saint Mathew
3,1-12
Each year, during the season of Advent, the Church
reminds us of the figure of John the Baptist. John came before Jesus to
announce His coming and to prepare people to receive the Lord. John is the same
person that invites us today to prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas in a
Christian manner and not in a pagan way as people do who still don’t know Jesus.
- Repent, truly. There are no excuses.
- Produce fruits that show your conversion.
- Welcome Him who brings peace and joy. He will
baptize you with the Spirit and fire.
We all know that we need to repent but we often find
excuses to leave it for tomorrow. I don’t go to church because my grandmother
prays much for me. I don’t participate
in the Eucharist on Sunday because I work a lot during the week and I'm so
tired on Sunday that I’d rather stay
home watching TV. I am not an honest person because my employer is a thief. I
don’t pray because I don´t have time. I 'm not in the catechism program because I don’t like the priest
or the catechist in my parish... There are so many excuses and apologies.
In this season of Advent put the excuses aside and
listen to the urgent call of John the Baptist: "Repent and produce fruits
that show your conversion."
The Books of the Bible were written to instruct us. If
you don’t know what specific aspects of your life you need to change, read the
Word of God and you will discover that there are many aspects in your life that
need conversion.
Let me list a few:
- Welcoming the strangers, the poor, the disabled, the
sick, all the people who are different...
- Discernment and wisdom in the decisions we make.
- Listening to the advice and accepting the strength
of the Lord in our activities.
- Friendship and intimate relationship with God
- Tolerance and not judging our brothers for what they
do or say.
- The practice of justice and respect for others in
our relationships in the family, work, and among friends.
- Honesty in our everyday life.
I can continue the list but I'm sure you know better
what aspects of your life you need to change to produce fruits that show your
repentance.
- Repentance is the way that the Bible offers us to
welcome the Lord who brings us Peace and Joy. He will baptize us with the
Spirit and Fire.
If the birth of Jesus finds us ready to welcome the
Prince of Peace, then the celebration of Christmas will
be a great event for us: the Spirit, Love, Peace and Joy of the Child God will
come to dwell in our hearts.
Repent, and open your hearts to the gifts that come
from God..
Fr. Germán