Second Sunday Of Advent
MATTHEW 3:1-12
The ministry of John the Baptizer was so important as a preparation for the ministry of Jesus that all four gospels, with considerable differences, begin their proclamation of the Good News with the preaching and baptizing ministry of John. His basic message was a demand for repentance and an invitation to submit to dunking or washing as an external sign of repentance. The Jordan River, from Galilee in the north to the Dead Sea in the south, supplied John and his penitents with water for the baptismal washing. Unlike Luke, who attempts to give his readers some details of the origin of the Baptizer, the Gospel of Matthew tells us nothing of his origin. Suddenly he is there preaching like some Old Testament prophet.
That Matthew wants readers and hearers to think of John as an Old Testament prophet is clear from his description of John’s clothing – a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. Thus 1 Kings 1:8 describes the clothing of the ninth century B.C. prophet Elijah. Matthew’s purpose in this matter is to proclaim John the Baptizer as Elijah returned from heaven as promised by the 5th century B.C. prophet Malachy 4:5, “Behold, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers….”
John’s diet: locusts and wild honey, a diet that should be the envy of all trying to lose weight. According to the Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible the desert locust consists of 75 percent protein, 3.4 percent fats, 7.5 percent carbohydrates, and small quantities of riboflavin and nicotinic acid. The latter should serve as a stimulant. Locusts are rich in mineral, that is, iron, calcium, and sulfur. Locusts were eaten raw, roasted, or cooked, and were often preserved by drying to be crushed or ground for mixing with other food. A special treat was to mix them with honey. John must have kept a trim, youthful and imposing figure.
This may explain part of his attraction, since Matthew writes, “There went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan”. Heeding his appeal to repentance, “They were baptized in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.”
It seems that not all who approached him came with sincerity. Among them were laymen who belonged to a group called “Pharisees” meaning “the separated ones.” These took it upon themselves to observe not only the laws of Moses but also the oral traditions that grew up through centuries of interpretation of the laws of Moses. That there were shysters among them is surely true, since experience teaches that this is true of most social groups, including religious groups. As a group however they were noted for their piety and devotion to the Torah. This is why St. Paul was proud of being one of them. He calls himself, “a Pharisee of Pharisees.” Also approaching John were members of the higher clergy, the Sadducees. The Baptizer is not pleased. He addresses both groups as “Brood (offspring) of vipers!” He rips into them as hypocrites and threatens them with fiery destruction. John’s approach to these prospective converts would be counterproductive in an RCIA programs.
In the final part of today’s gospel reading Matthew compares Christian baptism with the baptism administered by John the Baptizer. This comparison, which always leaves John’s baptism in second place, was necessary in early Christianity. When the gospels were composed in the last third of the first Christian century, the disciples of John were still a strong contingent among the Jews. For them John was not only a martyred hero, but the prophet Elijah returned from heaven and even the Messiah/Christ. All the gospels therefore carefully relegate to a lower status not only John’s baptism but John himself as only number two to Jesus. Basically John is described in all the gospels as saying, “I am second!” His baptism is with water for repentance. Jesus’ baptism comes with the Holy Spirit and fire.
ISAIAH 11:1-10
This reading from the 8th century B.C. prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem is one of three oracles Christians interpret as “messianic,” that is, predictive of Jesus as Messiah/Christ. These messianic oracles are basic to the formation of theology describing Jesus in the letters of Paul and in our four gospels. He will be a descendant of King David, “from the stump of Jesse,” David’s father. He will have the Holy Spirit, as is depicted when Jesus is baptized by John. He will treat the poor and the meek with justice, which is contrary to their usual exploitation. In beautiful imagery the prophet describes this hero as the one who will bring peace and harmony to the earth. His influence will extend to all nations.
ROMANS 15:4-9
In this homiletic part of Paul’s letter there are three major teachings: the Old Testament was written for our instruction; an exhortation for Christians to live at peace with each other so that God will be glorified among non-Christians, since Jesus became the servant of all peoples; the Lord Jesus is proclaimed not only to Jews but to all nations for the glory of God.
