In our Gospel this Sunday, Matthew 3:1–12, John the Baptist appears in the desert of Judea crying out, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” John’s message is harsh for those who seek the baptism of repentance with the wrong attitude or for the wrong reason. Calling the Sadducees and Pharisees a “brood of vipers,” John reminds them and us that that true repentance means a change of life and a change of behavior. There is no repentance without change. The Sadducees and Pharisees presented themselves to John for baptism without intending to change thus incurring his wrath and the threat of severe judgment when the Messiah arrives.
Each one of us is called to repentance. We all have a responsibility to examine our
lives, identify what needs to change, and then do something about it. The message of John the Baptist and the
message of Jesus Christ is to repent because the Kingdom of Heaven is “at
hand.” The Kingdom of Heaven is
now. We cannot enter the Kingdom
carrying the baggage of sin. Our Advent
Pilgrimage is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the changes we need to
make in our lives, to address them through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and
to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus and the Kingdom.
Stir up within us,
O God of peace and mercy,
a sincere desire for repentance,
that, baptized with the Holy Spirit
and enkindled by the fire of your love,
we may bring to every situation
the justice, gentleness and peace
that the incarnation of your Word
has caused to sprout and blossom upon the earth.
Grant this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN.
