Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! - Matthew 3:2

December is the season of Advent. It is the time of waiting for the coming of the Lord.

The second Sunday of Advent tells us to be prepared for his coming. Today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew talks about John the Baptist proclaiming a baptism of repentance in the wilderness of Judea. He introduces Jesus to the world. He appeared and started preaching in the desert of Judea saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” He tells them to prepare the way of the Lord and make his path straight.

The liturgy of today speaks of repentance, change of heart, a transformation or conversion. Repentance is merely turning away from sin and turning to God. It is to change for the better. In this season of advent, as we prepare to welcome Christ on Christmas, John the Baptist tells us to prepare the way of the Lord by repenting from our sinful ways. During Advent, we are called to be repentant of our sins, to pray constantly, to make penance and to prepare charity acts towards our brothers and sisters. Thus, in the remaining days of Advent, let us be committed to fill in our hearts the message of our God: to repent.


- Ysa Aquino

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