It is the 2nd Sunday of Advent, observed as the World Day for Persons with Disabilities.
Isaiah 11:1-10;
Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13;
Romans 15:4-9;
Matthew 3:1-12
In 1976, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed an International Year of Disabled Persons. The Day aims to promote understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. The emphasis is on equalization of opportunities, rehabilitation, and prevention of disabilities. In the Philippines, today is also observed as the National Day of COVID Victims.
"A new sprout [a new King] from the stump of Jesse" [from David's father], gifted by the Lord's Spirit with wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength (fortitude), knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2-3 is the source of the traditional names of the Seven Gifts of the Spirit.
"He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide fairly for the land's afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless... and slay the wicked with the breath of his lips" (vv. 4-5).
"The cow and the bear shall graze together, the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the viper's den.... the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord" (vv. 6-9). This picture of idyllic harmony symbolizes universal peace and justice under the new Davidic king.
The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are present in their fullness in Jesus Christ and are also found in all Christians. They are received through sanctifying grace, such as when one worthily receives a sacrament. The Seven Gifts are first received in the Sacrament of Baptism and strengthened by Confirmation. They are supernatural graces that allow us to live as children of God and follow His will with docility. They grow through prayer, sacramental life, and daily attention to God’s voice.
Wisdom, the highest of the gifts, is the desire to contemplate the things of God and order our lives accordingly. Piety is the desire to worship God and serve Him out of love. It reflects tenderness toward the sacred, love for the liturgy and prayer, devotion to Jesus and the Blessed Mother, and care for one’s neighbor.
Fear of the Lord confirms the theological virtue of hope. It instills a desire not to offend God out of love, leading to humility, reconciliation, and conversion. Christians are called to live the Gifts of the Holy Spirit daily and faithfully.
"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (vv. 4-6).
"Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God" (v. 7). Christ came to minister to the Jews to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, and also to the Gentiles (vv. 8-9).
John appeared in the desert of Judea, preaching, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (vv. 1-2). Isaiah had spoken of him: "A voice crying out in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths'" (v. 3). John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
People from Jerusalem, all Judea, and the Jordan region were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins (vv. 4-6). He spoke strongly to the Pharisees and Sadducees: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our Father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones" (vv. 7-9).
"I am baptizing you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is at hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn. But the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire" (vv. 10-12). John’s clothing recalls the austere dress of the prophet Elijah (2 Kgs. 1:8). John fulfills the expectation that Elijah would come first before the Messiah (Mt. 11:14; 17:11-13).
Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, and may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to His company, through Christ our Lord. Amen.