Sunday 08 December 2019: Second Sunday of Advent

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand

Today’s liturgy brings together readings from very different backgrounds, as it gives expression to the Advent message of hope.

The prophetic vision of Isaiah reflects his familiarity with the king’s court in a period of dramatic international developments in the region. He links the fulfillment of God’s designs for the nation with the rule of a new David (Jesse is the father of David) whose rule will contrast with that of many of David’s unworthy successors. He will be filled with the gifts of the ‘spirit of the Lord’, ruling with wisdom and integrity, and showing himself a forthright champion of the oppressed and the poor of the land. The peace established by his rule is graphically portrayed as like a new paradise - as the whole country is ‘filled with the knowledge of the Lord’ and lives according to God’s ways. For those who know the blessings brought by the true ‘Son of David’, the themes of the Christmas celebration that awaits us at the end of our Advent preparation are not difficult to recognise...

Extract by John Thornhill sm - read more at The Emmaus Series