As we progress through the holy season of Advent, the Second Week of Advent draws us deeper into a spirit of joyful expectation. The readings from Romans 15:4-13 and Matthew 11:2-10, proclaimed on the Saturday of this week, beautifully illuminate the virtues of hope and patience, as well as the identity of Christ as the fulfillment of the prophecies. Together, they invite us to prepare our hearts with greater fervor for the coming of the Messiah.
“For what things soever were written, were written for our learning…”
In the epistle, St. Paul reminds us that the Scriptures were written to strengthen our faith and cultivate hope:
“That we, through patience and the comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope” (Rom 15:4).
The Church Fathers, such as St. Augustine, see this verse as a testament to the unifying power of Scripture. Augustine writes:
“All that was written before was written in figure, that we might not despair, but trust in the promise of Him who does not fail.” (Exposition on the Psalms, Ps. 118).
The Scriptures, especially the words of the prophets, remind us of God’s faithfulness. He fulfilled His promises to Israel by sending the Messiah, and He will fulfill His promises to us as well. St. Paul speaks of the harmony that Christ brings, uniting Jews and Gentiles in a shared hope:
“Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people” (Rom 15:10).
This unity is a foreshadowing of the Church, where all nations are called into the fold. St. John Chrysostom reflects on this verse, explaining:
“The promise to the fathers was not merely for their own descendants but for all nations, that the whole world might glorify God together in Christ” (Homily on Romans).
This Advent, we too are called to this harmony—both with one another and with God’s plan. As we reflect on the Scriptures, we are encouraged to imitate Christ’s patience, live in unity, and “abound in hope” (Rom 15:13) through the Holy Spirit.
“Art thou he that art to come?”
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents a poignant moment: St. John the Baptist, imprisoned and awaiting his fate, sends his disciples to ask Jesus,
“Art thou he that art to come, or do we look for another?” (Matt 11:3).
The Fathers, such as St. Ambrose, interpret this question not as doubt on John’s part, but as a way to direct his disciples to Christ:
“John did not ask because he did not know, but that his disciples might know. For he knew that Jesus was the Christ, but they did not yet fully believe” (Exposition of the Gospel of Luke, 5.25).
Jesus responds by pointing to His works:
“The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them” (Matt 11:5).
These signs are a direct fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecies (cf. Isa 35:5-6; 61:1), demonstrating that the long-awaited Messiah has come. St. Gregory the Great emphasizes that these miracles are not only physical but spiritual:
“The miracles of our Lord are not to be wondered at merely as acts of power, but as signs of His compassion. He gives sight to the blind, for He illumines those in error; He raises the dead, for He redeems sinners” (Homilies on the Gospels, 6.1).
Thus, Jesus confirms His identity not with grand proclamations but with humble acts of mercy and healing. In the same way, we are called this Advent to look for the signs of Christ’s presence in our lives—not in extraordinary manifestations, but in the small, quiet moments of grace.
Preparing the Way
As the Gospel continues, Jesus extols John the Baptist as the greatest of the prophets, the one who was foretold to prepare the way:
“Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee” (Matt 11:10).
St. John’s role is to direct our gaze to Christ, a task he fulfills with humility and zeal. St. Cyril of Alexandria praises John’s steadfastness, saying:
“John was not shaken as a reed by the wind, but stood firm in proclaiming the truth, even in the face of death” (Commentary on Luke, Homily 4).
His example challenges us to prepare the way for Christ in our hearts, clearing away the distractions and sins that obscure our view of Him.
Advent Hope and Joy
In this midpoint of Advent, the readings remind us that our hope is rooted in God’s faithfulness. We are encouraged to take comfort in the Scriptures, to recognize the signs of Christ’s presence, and to prepare our hearts with the same faithfulness as St. John the Baptist.
As we approach Gaudete Sunday, a moment of joy amid the penitential season, let us echo the prayer of St. Paul:
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Rom 15:13).
May this hope sustain us as we await the coming of our Savior, who will heal the blind, raise the dead, and bring light to the darkness of our hearts. Veni, Domine Jesu!