Readings:

Isaiah 41:13-20
Matthew 11:11-15

Reflection:

The striking sentence in today’s Gospel is, “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent are taking it by Storm” (Mt 11: 12). This verse is one of the most mysterious and thought-provoking in the entire Bible. What was this violence that Jesus was referring to?

The zeal and the passion – the fire – that we need to carry in our hearts, A powerful zeal that makes no compromise in the values of the Kingdom, and makes it willing to suffer any hardship or difficulty for the sake of the Lord!

An aggressive passion that is willing to let go of any attachment or sinful desire, that comes in the way of being worthy of the Kingdom!

Yes, Christian Life is a Spiritual warfare, against the forces of evil, against our worldly desires!

The Lord will surely bless our every attempt and every desire to seek Him. This will cause us to leave behind, our webs of vain desires, our webs of sinful pleasures, our webs of undue attachments. This requires an intense desire and being willing to take chances, being bold and ready to even risk our lives in defense of our faith and in growing to be a Disciple – in the likeness of Christ. This makes John the Baptist greater in the kingdom of God. We become humans with an ear to hear and listen.

A collegian failed all his college work. He texted his mother: “Failed everything; prepare papa.” His mother texted back: “Papa prepared; prepare yourself.”

This is our Advent task: we need to prepare ourselves for the coming of God. Our “Papa” is prepared… with his loving mercy. What about us?

Sony Marsilin Kannanaikal CP is a Passionist priest, he lives at St.Joseph’s Community, Hobart.