SERMON/HOMILY FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B
By: Fr Francis Onwunali
The theme of preparedness in view of the Lord’s Second Coming resonates in the readings of this Second Sunday of Advent. The Lord Jesus is coming, and His way must be prepared by us in our lives and in the world.
In the first reading (Is 40: 1-5, 9-11), the prophet Isaiah speaks to the exiles in Babylon reassuring them that since they have repented of their sins, the Lord is coming to take them back to the Promised Land. Since the Lord is going to lead this joyful procession back to goodness, fruitfulness and peace which are the attributes of the Promised Land, all narrow and twisted paths of our lives should be made straight and upright. How ready am I to join in this joyful procession? Repentance is the key!
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The gospel of Mark (Mark 1: 1-8) recalls John the Baptist’s role as the herald who prepared the way for the coming of the Lord Jesus by preaching the need for repentance. He proclaimed the need for conversion and admission of sinfulness in order to ready ourselves for the coming of the Redeemer. Among a people unconcerned with the things of God, it was his work to awaken their interest, unsettle them from their complacency, and arouse in them enough goodwill to recognize and receive Christ when He comes.
Dear friends, are you eager to hear God’s word and to be changed by it through the power of the Holy Spirit? Though Christ has died for our sins, however, it is expected of us to show that we have accepted this gift of forgiveness by admitting our sinfulness and making a firm purpose of amendment.
I pray that as we journey in life today, we will commit to dusting and straightening the rough patches of our lives. Let us leverage ourselves of God’s patience (2 Peter 3: 8-14) and live our “lives without spot or stain so that He will find you at peace.” In readiness for His “coming,” let us practice the attributes of the Reign of God: peace, kindness, truth, and justice. May we never be left out when the “Day of the Lord” appears. Have a Happy and Repentance-full Sunday!
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