The readings for the Second Sunday of Advent focus on prophecy in differing ways. It has sometimes been said that there are two great characteristics of prophecy: foretelling or predicting and forth-telling or proclaiming. Both aspects are important. Biblical prophecy predicts certain future events in the divine plan; it also proclaims the message of divine redemption. During Advent, we see both in our readings.
The Old Testament lesson is the famous passage from Isaiah 11:1-10. It looks forward to a time when an ideal king will arise from the house of Jesse, king David's father.
Psalm 72:1-7 prays for the king and people to prosper and looks forward to the Messianic age.
The epistle reading comes from Romans15:4-13. The Apostle Paul speaks of the value of the Holy Scriptures, and he applies several Messianic prophecies to the saving work of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel selection is from Matthew 3:1-12. It concerns the work of John the Baptist. He fulfills certain prophecies from the past, and he is also the last of the Hebrew prophets pointing to the Messiah. He preaches repentance and redemption. May the same Holy Spirit which inspired the Biblical prophets inspire us to believe and live by their message!
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