Repent....the kingdom of God is at hand

Matthew 3 : 1- 12

Second Sunday of Advent

Although it is a time of waiting, the season of Advent brings joy and expectation of good tidings to the people of God. At the same time, Advent is not about pre-Christmas glitter and shopping, but about repentance, bearing good fruit and opening ourselves for God to take possession of our lives. In this Gospel reading we hear the call to 'metanoia' - change of heart. John is the voice that cries out to us: "Repent!....for the Kingdom of God is at hand!" As God's people we too are called to herald the presence of the kingdom as John the Baptist did in his lifetime.

However, we need to prepare ourselves by first repenting and removing those elements of human pride, jealousy, anger, hatred, misunderstanding and lack of love, which block the birth of Christlikeness in our own hearts. The repentance John preaches is not a lukewarm, fleeting sorrow just for the sins of the past. Rather, it is a life-altering conversion that produces "good fruit as evidence of our repentance".

In what ways are we challenged to reform our lives and help herald the presence of the Kingdom of God in our midst?

Name some of the things already on your calendar during the Advent season. Which activities foster your preparation for the coming of Christ in your life? Which block your preparation?

How might setting a time each day for focusing on your spiritual growth during this season help you prepare for new life in the Spirit?

Prayer: We wait, Lord, for the coming of Your Word to us. May we not fail to hear and to see. In Jesus Christ. Amen