The readings for the Second Sunday of Advent focus on prophecy in differing ways. 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 aspects of prophecy 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, the father of King David. This anointed ruler or Messiah will fulfill God's promises to Israel. He will bring true redemption. Of course, Christians see the fulfillment of this prophecy in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
The Gospel selection is from Matthew 3:1-12. It concerns the work of John the Baptist. He fulfills certain prophecies from the past; he is also the last of the Hebrew prophets pointing to the Messiah. He preaches repentance and redemption, and he points to his cousin Jesus. May the divinely inspired message of the Biblical prophets move us to faith in Jesus and lives consistent with their message!
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