Second Sunday of Advent [A]


 

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT [A]


The word “harmony” shows up in our second reading this weekend (Rom. 15:5). That’s what Saint Paul wants to see: believers need to live in harmony with one another. Paul’s message would seem to parallel what’s written in the eleventh chapter of Isaiah. The prophet foresees the day when a spirit of harmony will pervade the entirety of God’s creation; even the wolf and the lamb will be able to live in harmony with one another (Isaiah 11:6). Therefore, our first two readings have to do with the subject of harmony. Is it a theme that will carry over, into the Gospel? 


Yes and no. Matthew describes a crowd gathered along the Jordan river. There’s harmony in the fact that they are all tuned in on a common voice—that being the voice of John the Baptist. Yet, ironically, John will be the one who strikes a sour note. He will be the one who disturbs the tone of harmony. He singles out the Pharisees and the Sadducees: You don’t belong here! You will have to make a strong case for yourselves, if you want to be a part of this movement (see Matt. 3:7-10)! 


Why are they being scrutinized so closely? It has to do with their status. The Pharisees and the Sadducees are prominent figures. John knows that prominence and pride go together, like a hand in a glove. If your primary sin is pride, then this represents something problematic. We can say, generally speaking, that all sins are offensive to God. Nevertheless, he has a particular distaste for the sin of pride. John understands this. And that’s why he chooses to turn up the heat. 


Consider the following example: a monk turning to his Guardian Angel. He wants the angel to wake him up when it’s time for him to say his prayers. True to form, the monk drifts off into a deep sleep. Upon awakening, he can see that the hour for Matins has come and gone. Now he’s frustrated with his Guardian Angel. The angel, however, has an explanation: As it is, you will have to go before God with an attitude of remorse and a blemished record. He would rather have you with your remorse and your flawed record than have you swelled up with pride, boasting about your perfect record. 


In other words, the Lord can stomach whatever it is that we commit. But here is ONE SIN that the Lord would prefer NOT to stomach. 

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