Isaiah promises a world where the wolf lives with the lamb. But can we imagine a world where Ukrainians and Russians, Gazans and Israelis, or Republicans and Democrats live in peace? And can we help bring one about?
In this "Know Before You Go" reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent, Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, dives into these classic Advent readings. We explore Isaiah’s prophecy of the "Peaceable Kingdom" and the "Stump of Jesse"—a symbol of new life springing from something that looked dead.
We also encounter John the Baptist in the Gospel of Matthew, calling for Metanoia (repentance) and and for everyone to "bear fruit" in a broken world.
We don't have to fix things ourselves, we need to reorient our lives towards truth, making ready the way for God's Truth to flourish.
[Scripture References]
📖 First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 (The Peaceable Kingdom)
📖 Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 (John the Baptist Preaches Repentance)
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Timeline / Chapters
00:00 - Intro: Second Sunday of Advent
00:28 - Isaiah and the Peaceable Kingdom
01:00 - Imagining Peace Between Modern Enemies
01:35 - The Stump of Jesse: Life After Death
02:18 - How Justice is Won (Truth vs. Weapons)
03:58 - John the Baptist: "Repent!"
04:50 - "You Brood of Vipers": The Call to Bear Fruit
05:40 - We Can't Fix the World, But We Can Do This
06:20 - Living as People of Hope
#Advent #Catholic #SundayMass #KnowBeforeYouGo #Isaiah #JohnTheBaptist #Faith
