In the Spirit of the Second Week of Advent, Feria III
Advent, a season of expectant hope and preparation, invites us to dwell deeply on the Scriptures that herald the coming of Christ. The readings for Feria III of the second week, Romans 15:4–13 and Matthew 11:2–10, intertwine themes of hope, fulfillment, and the joy of recognizing the Messiah. Let us reflect on these passages through the wisdom of the Church Fathers.
Romans 15:4–13: The Hope of the Gentiles
“Whatever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
—Romans 15:4
St. Paul draws attention to the enduring purpose of Sacred Scripture: to instill hope. The Apostle reminds us that Christ came not only for the Jews but also to fulfill the promises made to the patriarchs on behalf of all nations. This inclusion of the Gentiles, foretold in Isaiah and the Psalms, reflects the universality of salvation in Christ.
St. Augustine teaches that this hope stems from the unity of believers in charity:
“The Scriptures bind us together, teaching us patience by showing how the promises of God, though long delayed, are always fulfilled. This patience, grounded in hope, leads to true charity, uniting Jews and Gentiles into one people under Christ” (Enarrationes in Psalmos 94).
The harmony of Jews and Gentiles, glorifying God with one voice, prefigures the heavenly liturgy. St. John Chrysostom marvels at this unity:
“What is so wonderful is not only that God redeems the Jews but that He calls the Gentiles into this same promise, so that there might be one family, one inheritance, and one faith” (Homilies on Romans 28).
Thus, Paul’s exhortation is Advent-like: to prepare our hearts to receive this hope and share it with all, especially as we journey toward the celebration of Christ’s Nativity.
Matthew 11:2–10: The Messianic Signs
“Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
—Matthew 11:3
John the Baptist, imprisoned and nearing the end of his earthly mission, sends his disciples to Jesus with this poignant question. Christ’s response is both a fulfillment of prophecy and an invitation to faith: He recounts the signs of the Kingdom—the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor hear the Good News.
St. Cyril of Alexandria underscores the significance of these signs:
“Christ does not merely speak of His mission; He reveals it through actions. These miracles testify to the coming of God among men and the restoration of all things in Him” (Commentary on Luke 4.18).
John’s inquiry also serves another purpose, as St. Ambrose reflects:
“John sends his disciples to Christ not because he doubts, but so that they might know Him. He who had leapt in the womb at the sound of Mary’s voice would not falter in recognizing the Messiah” (Exposition on the Gospel of Luke 5.1).
This moment, therefore, is a lesson in discipleship: John, the forerunner, points his followers to Christ, the Lamb of God. As Advent pilgrims, we are likewise called to direct others to Jesus through our words and deeds.
Finally, Christ extols John as the “greatest born of women” yet one whose greatness pales before the least in the Kingdom. This paradox, as St. Gregory the Great explains, emphasizes the surpassing grace of life in Christ:
“Though John heralded the coming of the Kingdom, he did not live to see its fullness in the Passion, Resurrection, and Pentecost. The least in the Kingdom experiences the greater reality of Christ’s victory” (Homilies on the Gospels 7.1).
Advent Application: Prepare, Rejoice, Witness
The pairing of these readings on this Advent feria directs us toward three spiritual actions: preparation, rejoicing, and witnessing.
- Prepare: Like John, we prepare the way for Christ by inviting others to seek Him. Our patience, rooted in hope, becomes a beacon to those still wandering in darkness.
- Rejoice: The miracles of Jesus remind us of the profound joy of Advent—the world is not abandoned but redeemed. We are called to echo this joy in our liturgy and daily life.
- Witness: Finally, as St. Paul and John the Baptist demonstrate, we must proclaim Christ not only with words but also through deeds, making His presence known in a weary world.
As we light the second candle of Advent, let us hold fast to the hope that unites us, rejoice in the signs of God’s Kingdom, and bear witness to the Messiah’s love. In the words of St. Augustine:
“Let us sing a new song, not with our lips only, but with our lives.”
(Sermon 34).
May this Advent season lead us to the manger with hearts ablaze, ready to welcome the King who brings hope to all nations