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 2^nd Sunday of Advent, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Preparing the Way for the Kingdom of Peace and Justice

Readings: Is. 11:1-10; 2nd: Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this second Sunday of Advent comes with a message of consolation for a world battered by poor leadership. It brings us the promise of a king unlike the rulers and governments we have known on earth—a king whose reign will be marked by global peace and justice for the poor and for all humanity. It also invites us to prepare the way for the arrival of this king in our lives.

The first reading today presents God’s response, through the prophet Isaiah, to the people of Israel whose faith was weakened by the bad examples of their kings and leaders. Recall that the reign of King David was marked by prosperity, peace, victory in battle, and justice for the people. Yet after David’s death, his successors failed to uphold his legacy. They abandoned peace and justice, choosing instead corruption, pagan worship, and alliances contrary to God’s will and the counsel of the prophets. These unfaithful practices eroded the people’s loyalty and trust in God, leaving many to wonder whether He would ever intervene in their troubles.

It was in the midst of this doubt, weakened faith, and suffering that Isaiah delivered the prophecy we hear today. He dispelled the people’s fears and rekindled their hope by announcing the coming of a new Davidic king from the root of Jesse—a king greater than David. Isaiah described his qualities: the Spirit of the Lord would rest upon him; he would possess wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord. He would establish peace and justice, judging the poor and the whole world with righteousness.

The Psalm echoes this vision, portraying the beauty of the king’s reign: “He will judge the people with justice and the poor with right judgment. In his days justice shall flourish and great peace till the moon is no more. He shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. He shall save the needy when they cry, the poor and those who are helpless. He will have pity on the weak and the needy, and save the lives of the needy.”

Isaiah also painted a vivid picture of this kingdom: a realm of peace and tranquility where natural enemies live together in harmony—the wolf with the lamb, the leopard with the kid, the calf with the lion. It is a kingdom where the strong relinquish their power to dwell alongside the weak, where privilege is not used to oppress but to uplift.

We can do the same in our homes and society, transforming our families and relationships into places where the strong do not use their abilities to oppress or look down on others, but to help and uplift them.

Dear friends, this kingdom envisioned by Isaiah was inaugurated by Jesus, the Son of David, when He walked the streets of Jerusalem preaching the good news of peace and love, and ultimately consummated it through His death on the cross. To prepare the people for this kingdom, John the Baptist proclaimed repentance and forgiveness of sins, as we heard in today’s Gospel: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” He warned the Pharisees and Sadducees to abandon their hypocrisy and embrace true repentance.

This same message is given to us by the Church this Advent as we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth and His second coming. Christ has already established the kingdom of Isaiah’s vision, but our sins obstruct its full realization in our lives and in our world. When we repent, embrace authentic Christian living, forgive those who have offended us, and abandon pretense, we open our hearts and homes to the kingdom of peace, love, justice, and righteousness that Christ established on earth.

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that true reformation of life is essential for the reign of peace and justice in society. He prayed for the Jewish Christians in Rome, that they might live in harmony with their Gentile brothers and sisters, accepting them as equals while awaiting Christ’s return. Dear friends, when we live in harmony with our neighbors, friends, and family, we create space for peace, love, justice, and tranquility. Indeed, when we live in harmony with others, the kingdom of Christ reigns in our midst.

The vision of Isaiah urges us to live harmoniously, not using our strength or privileges to oppress, but to support the weak among us. It calls us to use our gifts, natural abilities, and resources to uplift our brothers and sisters. This, dear friends, is a beautiful way to prepare for Christmas.

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima