IInd Sunday of Advent
Massimo Palombella
In today’s Gospel (Mt 3:1-12) John the Baptist, to the Pharisees and Sadducees who were coming to his baptism, tells them not to seek support, justification in something outside themselves, namely in the fact that they have Abraham as their father.
The essence of conversion is slowly learning to take up residence within ourselves, to live, to dwell in our interiority in order to free ourselves from all that, external to us, which illudes us that we are ‘OK’, that we are secure, that we are worthwhile.
The path of conversion makes us stronger people because it slowly enables us to walk healthily on our own, to make our own choices, to make those necessary separations that only enable us to become adults. In fact, our true value does not lie in the teachers with whom we have studied, in the “sure and certain” paths where we are assured of not making mistakes and not disturbing anyone, in the benevolence and approval of those who have governing responsibilities, to whom we are, in some way, subjected. Our value lies in the choices we slowly become capable of making by exercising our freedom, the only thing for which we can truly say that we have been created ‘in the image of God’. If our path of conversion is authentic it should slowly lead us here, to meet the true God who desires for us only “life in abundance”.
The Communion antiphon of today’s Celebration is taken from the Book of Baruch (Bar 5:5; 4:36) with the following text:
“Jerusalem surge, et sta in excelso,
et vide jucunditatem quae veniet tibi a Deo tuo.”
(Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high;
and behold the joy that shall come to you from your God).
The attached music, in Gregorian Chant, is taken from the Graduale Triplex published in Solesmes in 1979. The performance is by CantArte Regensburg conducted by Hubert Velten. The music track can be found on the CD Gregorian Chants (Advent) published by Capriccio (2005).
A blessed Sunday and heartfelt greetings.
