As Holy Mother Church brings us deeper into the sacred time of Advent, the liturgy of the Second Sunday turns our attention toward the virtues of hope and perseverance, lifting our gaze to the promises fulfilled in Christ and yet drawing us to await His glorious coming with steadfastness. In both the Epistle and the Gospel, the Church reminds us that our faith is not a fleeting emotion but a firm anchor rooted in divine revelation and the voice of the prophets.
I. “That we through patience and the comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom 15:4)
St. Paul, writing to the Romans, exhorts the faithful to find their hope in the Scriptures. The Apostle reminds us that the sacred writings were not merely for past generations but are alive, continuing to nourish the soul. As St. John Chrysostom teaches:
“Whatever was written, was written for our instruction. What then? Was the Law written for us? Yes, indeed, for it was written not only for the Jews, but also for us… We profit even more, since we have received not only their testimonies but also the fulfillment of them” (Homily 28 on Romans).
This is the mystery of Advent: the already and the not yet. Christ has come in history, fulfilling the prophecies, but we await His return in glory. Thus, the patience that Paul speaks of is not passive endurance but a virtuous steadfastness, a holy clinging to the promises of God amid trial.
As the Church reads the Scriptures anew in this liturgical season, we are reminded that God’s fidelity is not bound to time. He is the God of hope (Rom 15:13), and He fills the believing heart with joy and peace through the Holy Ghost. This is a peace not given by the world—a theme that Advent calls us to meditate upon, stripping away worldly distractions to prepare a worthy dwelling for the King.
II. “Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another?” (Matt 11:3)
In the Gospel, we are presented with a profound moment: St. John the Baptist, the Precursor, sends his disciples to inquire of Christ whether He is truly the expected Messiah. Some Fathers interpret this as a pedagogical act—John was not doubting but wished his disciples to find conviction for themselves. St. Ambrose writes:
“John does not ask as if he doubted whether Jesus is the Christ, but he asks for their sakes who he sends, that they might believe by Christ’s answer” (Exposition on Luke 5.90).
Likewise, St. Gregory the Great affirms:
“It was not for himself that John asked this, but for his disciples. He sent them that they might be instructed by Christ Himself, whom he had himself preached” (Homilies on the Gospels, 6).
Herein lies a model of true discipleship: we lead others to Christ, not merely by our words, but by directing them to the Word Himself. In this Advent season, St. John becomes for us a figure not only of the Old Testament prophet but of every Christian soul who prepares the way for the Lord. His humility and clarity of mission remind us to point not to ourselves but to Christ.
Christ’s response is revelatory: “The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed…” (Matt 11:5). These are signs foretold by Isaiah (cf. Isa 35:5–6; 61:1), unmistakable marks of the Messiah. Our Lord speaks not only to John’s disciples but to every generation: the Kingdom is breaking forth, the works of mercy and restoration are the true marks of the Incarnate Word. Yet, even more profoundly, Christ ends with a beatitude: “Blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me” (Matt 11:6). This is a warning and a consolation. Many stumble over the humility of the Lord’s coming—not in earthly grandeur, but in meekness and poverty. The same holds true in His Sacraments and His Church today.
III. A Voice Crying in the Wilderness: Prepare Ye the Way
As the Gospel continues, Christ extols John as more than a prophet—indeed, the one who was foretold as the messenger preparing the way. He is the voice in the wilderness, urging Israel and all mankind to prepare their hearts. St. Augustine notes:
“John is the boundary between the Old and the New Testaments. He represents the time of waiting and the time of fulfillment. He is the friend of the Bridegroom who rejoices at His coming” (Sermon 293).
This Sunday is, therefore, one of transition. Advent stirs us to consider how we, too, are in the wilderness—awaiting, preparing, longing. The Precursor’s cry resounds through the ages: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” The voice of prophecy calls us to repentance, to the renewal of the soul, to works of mercy and devotion.
Conclusion: The Gentiles Shall Hope in Him
St. Paul closes the Epistle with a citation from Isaiah: “In Him shall the Gentiles hope.” This is the marvel of Christ’s coming—that salvation is not for the Jews only, but for all nations. The unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ is a miracle of divine charity and an image of the peace that the Messiah brings.
As we journey through this holy season, let us, with patient hearts and vigilant spirits, heed the Scriptures, follow the witness of the Baptist, and prepare the way of the Lord—so that, in the fullness of time, we may rejoice not only in His first coming in Bethlehem but in His second coming in glory.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing: that you may abound in hope, and in the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Rom 15:13)