St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are in the second week of Advent reflecting about repentance. In the first reading the prophet is speaking to personified Jerusalem to comfort her in what appears to be a mourning ceremony. He urges Jerusalem to throw off her garments of grief and put on the garment of splendor of glory and the cloak of God’s justice. In this Advent we too are called to throw off grief and sadness and to look for the coming of the Messiah with hope, and to live in peace and justice with our brethren.

The second reading speaks about how St. Paul prays in thanksgiving for the partnership and relationship with the community of faith. While writing to them from prison, he explains to them his longing and affection. Christ’s suffering was an act of love. The affection he is speaking of is not just an emotion but is a zealous love. It is a kind of love that knows no bounds and expects nothing in return. It will make them pure and blameless.

As Christians we are called to live with this kind of love and to bear the fruits of righteousness. It is called ‘faith working through love’.

The Gospel speaks and invites us towards repentance. John the Baptist invites the people to receive the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. It is a call for ‘metanoia’ meaning repentance or a change of mind. This is the time we too are invited to look into one’s own self and to examine, which are the areas that we need to change from worse to better. Is there a need for a change in our thoughts, words and actions? What is our understanding and conviction about the sacrament of reconciliation? Are we ready and prepared to go for confession during this Advent? This is the opportune time to repent, to seek forgiveness from God and neighbors.

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony