2. Advent Sunday – Mt 3, 1-12 - Sermon Thoughts

2. Advent Sunday – Mt 3, 1-12 - Sermon Thoughts 

We make decisions daily.
Many of them are for our sake. Some decisions are for the others too.

We are also very happy to do the second than the first.

Because decision is not only a passing of opinion,

it is a kind of Judgement too.

And it is easy to judge others as ourselves.

And now for a good decision, one needs time.
Many rapid decisions can be immature most of the time.

Some are used to them too.

Today’s liturgical readings could be understood in this perspective.

The Gospel is conveying it direct and clear.
“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand”.
It is none other than a strong appeal to take decision on one’s life.
And this decision is not something for the life here, but it exceeds that.
It proceeds to a life – the Life with God in the Eternity.

It is our decision for God and Life: John the Baptist appeals for that.

The readings also points out to some other decisions.
It is not our decisions. They are the decisions of God.

“Axe lies at the root of the tree, winnowing Fan” are some symbols for the decision of God on us.

Also Old Testament describes some decisions of God:

“a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom”

New branch and life in the reading from Isaiah is not a Dream of God, but his decision for our Life. Justice, Faithfulness, Peace…

All these are prepared for us - Some positive and caring decisions of God.

This positive decisions regarding Life, Peace, faithfulness and Justice are the special nature of God’s Kingdom.

And when John appeals for it, it may sound little hard to many:
Not only to us but also for his audience too.
To move the minds of the Pharisees and Sadducees were not a simple task.

These groups in Israel had their positions - in decision making and taking.

They believed and remained in their religious and social decisions.

And John the Baptist preaches in such a society.

Yes, that was “desert”… He cannot expect much fruits there.

Still he appears as the Hermit…
Weak in appearance…But ultra power-packed in the Spirit of the Lord.

He stands there as the Last Prophet, unmoved in his Decision towards God, and his mission.

‘Decision- Taking’ in the religious sense is call to Divine Life.
God has his upper hand in all the decisions.

It is more or less expressed by John the Baptist.

“I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.”

Advent is small period of time to rethink on our lives; on our certain decisions.

It helps us to light a new candle in our life.

It helps us to take new decisions in the Spirit of God.

This must bring more light in our life and in our community;

In our families and Church….and in daily dealings.

May this Advent help us all to decide for God, his Peace and Righteousness.

May it help us to give God his right position in our lives. Amen.

 - Fr Thomas Kalathil