Saint Rita Catholic Church and School in Webster, NY - An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings

“Prepare The Way Of The Lord, Make Straight His Paths”

Our readings this Sunday look at the foretelling of the coming of Christ in both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. The Church seeks to put us in the minds and in the shoes of first century Jews who the Messiah. All of our readings today help us prepare for the coming of the one who “shall judge the poor with justice” and who will “baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

In our first reading (Isaiah 11:1-10), Isaiah offers hope to the people of Judah at a time when they were besieged by relentless attacks by foreign foes. Isaiah foretells a time when "the wolf will be the guest of the lamb". His prophesy was that “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse.” Jesse was King David’s father and this is a metaphor for the Kingdom of David. Isaiah is saying that even though the Kingdom of David has been cut down, a new shoot (the Messiah) will arise to restore the kingdom and God’s glory. Isaiah writes, “On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.“

In our Epistle reading (Romans 15:4-9), St. Paul echoes the theme of our first reading and offers a vision of hope and peaceful harmony. Similar to Isaiah’s prophesy of a day when “the calf and the young lion will browse together”, it is Christ Jesus who welcomes both Jew and Gentile, who will “with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.“

In our Gospel reading (Matthew 3:1-12), John the Baptist preached a message of repentance, heralding a new Exodus where God would deliver His people from sin. John was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah, who said, "A voice crying out in the desert . . . Prepare the way of the Lord." John heralded the coming of the Messiah Jesus by declaring that, “the one who is coming after me is mightier than I . . . He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ” John was the forerunner of the Messiah, the one who prepared “the way of the Lord.”

For we who hope in Christ during this season of Advent, our call is to prepare our hearts to receive our Lord as if for the first time. We would do well to follow St. Paul’s instruction that "by the encouragement of the Scriptures" we should “think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus”, thus glorifying God. “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev. 22:20)

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120725.cfm