REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT 12TH DECEMBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT 12TH DECEMBER 2023 

Isaiah 40:1-11; Ps.96; Matthew 18:12-14

God’s love is salvific

In the first reading, we see that God is not unapproachable or difficult to appease. When our repentance is genuine, God is quick to forgiving and showing mercy. God does not reprimand us out of anger or revenge; his goal is not to bring about our condemnation but to bring to our consciousness the truth that we constantly denied through life of sin. The moment we show sin of remorse, God is quick to take it up from there. Thus, He sent prophet Isaiah to quickly and richly speak of his comfort for his people. God’s mercy goes with restoration – recovery of all that was lost due to sin.

Beloved in Christ, both the first reading and the responsorial psalm tell us that the Lord comes with might. What is this might? It is not in terms of physical strength but in terms of his abundant mercy. Forgiveness is a thing of the strong; it is the weak that actually seek revenge. The true test of your strength is not in the harm you are able to cause others but the number of sorrows you turn into joy.

The gospel reading goes a further length to show the extent of God’s mercy. God loves us personally and He desires that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. No one is negligible in God’s sight and that is why each time we go astray, it is not we who are in search of God; rather, it is God who is in search of us. Irrespective of how strong God’s desire is to bring us back to himself, he respects our will. But the moment we make the slightest effort to repent, we invariably give him the permission to pour out his mercy on us in abundance.

Beloved, do not delay your conversion for fear that you may not be able to sustain the New Life in Christ. Those who come to Jesus are never without His help.