Catechism Links[1]
CCC 522, 711-716, 722: the prophets and the expectation of the Messiah
CCC 523, 717-720: the mission of John the Baptist
CCC 1427-1429: conversion of the baptized
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| “St. John the Baptist in the Wilderness” by Hieronymus Bosch, 1495-1500 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Isaiah 11:1-10
Commentary on Is 11:1-10
Isaiah predicts that the line of David will produce the Messiah with the first verse: “stump of Jesse,” King David’s father. The stump refers to the line of David being cut back during the Babylonian Exile. For the first time in scripture, the prophet then presents the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. [13](Note also the reference to fullness. In Hebrew numerology the number “7” is the perfect number.) In the Septuagint and the Vulgate, the word "piety" is coupled with “fear of the Lord.”
The description of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is followed with a list of the just and compassionate characteristics of the messianic rule. This is followed by a picture of universal peace under the messiah’s rule. Isaiah sees the return of the messianic King as predicting that the messiah will come from King David’s line and will ultimately bring great peace. The term used, “…on all my holy mountain” indicates this peace is for all the faithful, not just those in Jerusalem.
CCC: Is 11:1-9 672; Is 11:1-2 712, 1831; Is 11:2 436, 536, 1286
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
R. (cf. 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Commentary on Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Psalm 72 is one of the Royal Psalms. In this selection we hear an echo of the justice and peace of the King’s rule that is reiterated in Isaiah’s prophecy (above).
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Reading II: Romans 15:4-9
Commentary on Rom 15:4-9
In the first paragraph of this passage, St. Paul speaks of “what was written previously." In this, the apostle was referring to v.3: "For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, 'The insults of those who insult you fall upon me,'" a paraphrase from Psalm 69, which in turn refers to messianic suffering on our behalf. Through that vision comes the hope of the faithful, and Paul’s encouragement to be unified in that common hope.
The second paragraph calls for unity among all who believe in Christ. He did not come only to fulfill the Hebrew Prophecy (“the promises to the patriarchs”) but to all peoples. In the verse immediately following this selection he cites Deuteronomy 32:43 as his source.
CCC: Rom 12-15 1454, 1971; Rom 15:5-6 2627; Rom 15:5 520
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Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12
Commentary on Mt 3:1-12
This Gospel passage from St. Matthew introduces St. John the Baptist. The Gospel author does not, as St. Luke does in his account (Luke 3:2ff), make it clear that St. John is a relative of Jesus or say anything about his origins. The Baptist is making the preparatory statements to the people that will open the way for Jesus’ own ministry.
St. John is calling for repentance, a change of heart and conduct that will lead the faithful back to God. His attire recalls that of the prophet Elijah (who was expected to return to prepare for the final establishment of God’s Kingdom according to Hebrew tradition - Malachi 3:23-24 [5]). We are told that he (John the Baptist) is the one predicted by the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 40:3.
The Baptist has harsh words for the Pharisees and Sadducees who had apparently come to his ritual bath with an attitude that they did not need to repent since they are already keeping Mosaic Law scrupulously. The Baptist tells them that, while they may keep the Law, there is no conversion of heart and God will see that.
The passage concludes with St. John’s prediction of the coming of the Messiah who will “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” This final reference to judgment uses the image of the harvest, where chaff is separated from grain by throwing both into the air and letting the heavier grain fall back to the ground, while the useless chaff is blown away and later collected and burned.
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Homily:
I am not going to complain about the warm weather we have had so far this year. A little over a year ago you may recall, we had nearly a foot of snow by this time. But if we had received a bit more “winter,” we would probably be more mentally prepared for the thought that we will celebrate the Nativity of the Lord in just 20 days. Scripture is giving us fair warning.
St. Matthew’s Gospel introduces us to what many scholars have called “The Last Prophet,” St. John the Baptist. St. John’s
To us that may seem like simply adding color to this charismatic preacher. But to St. Matthew’s readers, those who first read his Gospel, the Baptist’s eccentricity had another meaning. There was a much earlier prophet similarly described, Elijah, whose exploits and calls for repentance are recorded in the Books of Kings. The prophet Micah famously predicted that before the Messiah would come, Elijah would return (Micah 3:23-24). St. John, in style, mannerisms, and message, fulfills the essence of this prediction. So when the Last Prophet calls out that: “one is coming, whose sandals he is not worthy to tie,” and that person turns out to be Jesus, the Hebrew prerequisites are satisfied, the Messiah has come.
So, where we see St. John as this colorful figure announcing the Lord’s coming, the early Christians would have been whispering among themselves as they listened to these words: “It is the prophecy! Elijah has returned! The Kingdom of God
They too would have been thinking about the words of Isaiah that were proclaimed in our first reading. They would have wondered about where and how this Messiah would appear. We all heard the prediction: “On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” The “Jesse” to whom the Prophet Isaiah is referring is the father of King David. In the first chapter of St. Matthew’s Gospel the Evangelist records a genealogy of Jesus. (That’s the selection all of us who proclaim the Gospel kind of dread because some of the names of Jesus’ ancestors are really tough to pronounce). In the 5th and 6th verses of that first chapter, this is recorded: “Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.” (Matthew 1:5-6) The stump of Jesse is the line of King David that was cut off when Babylon invaded and conquered Israel.
The bud that blossoms actually blossoms into a rose; for it is not only St. Joseph
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[At the Rite of Acceptance]
For those present who have been accepted into the Order of Catechumens, St. John the Baptist’s call to repentance is especially apt. It is a call you have all heard and responded to. You would not be here with us if you had not acted upon the God-given impulse to follow your hearts to Christ.
We who have been on this path for most of our lives envy you these early stages of the journey you are undertaking. You will see with adult eyes the plan God was pleased to decree in Christ’s coming. You will see for the first time, as your studies progress, how so many of God’s prophets predicted the coming of Jesus and how the Law of Moses, laid out in the first five books of the Holy Bible, are fulfilled with the arrival of Jesus. This first revelation is just a part of our Advent season’s message: the coming Nativity of Jesus, born of a virgin (as predicted), born in Bethlehem (as predicted), and born under a star (predicted and guiding the Three Kings). All of this and more you will see clearly for the first time and be amazed and humbled.
Most importantly, you will also come to understand that the promise of Jesus, the Christ to come, again for the salvation of all of us is what we are also celebrating. Because no one knows the time of his promised return, we are in a constant state of getting ready. That means we are doing all we can to grow in holiness, continually striving to be like Jesus in what we do and how we behave with all those we meet, even those who hate us. Advent is a time when we express our joy to the world at God’s promise through special prayers, celebrations, and especially our generosity to those in need.
We really do envy you the wonder and joy of discovering your call to faith and seeing how much God loves you.
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In this, our Advent season, it is time for all of us to be re-energized by the recollection of prophecy fulfilled. It is our turn to marvel that the words of Isaiah and Micah, who lived seven hundred years before the Lord, and the even older chroniclers of the Books of Kings, are fulfilled.
Today we can reflect once more upon the wisdom of St. Augustine
We must, however, take a close look at the Voice, as St. John is often called. He passionately calls the world to conversion. That word “conversion” is one that gives us some trouble. We say “trouble” because when we hear that we are called to conversion we generally think: “Well gee, I’m already converted. I believe in God and Jesus. Conversion is for those people who don’t believe.”
Not true! Conversion is not like an “Altar Call” in some tent revival meeting. It is not the “Once saved, always saved” idea held by some Christian denominations.
Conversion is an intensely personal and ongoing commitment to pattern our lives around Jesus Christ and his teachings, to be his disciples in a real and visible way. It is not some vague idea that: “I’m a good person.” It is a daily decision to try to be like Jesus in what we say, do and think. This is the call to conversion to which St. John refers. That is why he took the Scribes and Pharisees to task.
As we continue our Advent preparation, waiting for the Lord, may we be reminded that, when he comes, he will see if we have made that very individual and personal decision to follow him. If we have done so, the great reward promised by the Father will be ours.
Pax
In other years on this date: Optional Memorial for Saint John of Damascus, Presbyter, Religious, Doctor of the Church
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[2] The picture used is “St. John the Baptist in the Wilderness” by Hieronymus Bosch, 1495-1500
[5] Note in many older Bible translations, taken from the Latin Vulgate, this citation is Malachi 4:1-5. In the original Hebrew and in the Septuagint there were three (3) chapters. In the Latin Vulgate, there were 4. The break point was at 3:19.
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