Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis
Fr. Justine John DYIKUK
Dear friends in Christ,
On the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A – (Dec 7, 2025), I bring you greetings and God’s blessings!
Theme: Being Heralds of the Gospel
Introduction
Friends in Christ, the Church invites us to be heralds of Christ’s coming. Our liturgy sets before us the prophecy of Isaiah, who states that the anointed one would sprout like a shoot from the stock of Jesse. It reveals the heroic example of John the Baptist, who, with humility and courage, urged his audience to prepare for the coming of Christ.
Review of the Readings
In the first reading (Isaiah 11:1-10), the Prophet Isaiah speaks of a shoot that springs from the stock of Jesse. He reveals how the spirit of God rests on him and how he is endowed with wisdom, insight, counsel, power, knowledge and fear of the Lord. He assures that the Lord’s dwellings shall be glorious and the nations shall seek him.
In the second reading (Rom 15:4-9), St. Paul catechises on hope and tolerance, urging his audience to embrace the example of Christ – united in mind and voice to the glory of God. He further called the faithful to treat each other with Christ’s friendliness, assuring that Gentiles are direct beneficiaries of the fulfillment of God’s promises and mercies.
The gospel reading (Mat 3:1-12) reveals the call and ministry of John the Baptist. It tells how, with humility and courage, he prepared the people for the coming of Christ by a call to repentance. He lived an austere life. John repudiated the Pharisees and Sadducees for their inability to bear fruit. He assured that the messiah would baptise them with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Takeaway Lessons
1. The prophesy of Isaiah that someone would come from the stock of Jesse and the unfolding events of the birth of St. John the Baptist, who leaps for joy in his mother’s womb, suggests that like Jesus and John, God has a plan for everyone and invites us to grow in wisdom, insight, counsel, power, knowledge and fear of the Lord.
2. The message of St. Paul in the second reading urges us to be hopeful and tolerant at Advent and always, mindful that the event of Ein Kerem assures that God sets us apart for his mighty works.
3. Just as God prepared the Baptist for the task ahead, through the Sacraments of Christian Initiation – Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation, he prepares us for a fulfilled Christian life with holiness as our girdle.
4. Advent gives us another opportunity to come clean through the sacrament of confession, where we enjoy God’s unfathomable love and mercy.
5. John the Baptist spoke without mincing words by repudiating the Pharisees and Sadducees, which earned him a martyr’s death. In the same light, priests are urged to be bold, fearless, and courageous in speaking truth to power.
Conclusion
Like John’s audience, we are charged to approach confession with courage, bearing in mind that God will forgive us. Lapsed-Catholics and those who are yet to be communicants should use the season of Advent to access the sacraments towards a fulfilled Christmas festival. Pastors of souls should emulate John by preaching the Word with love and courage. May this Advent help us to emulate St. John the Baptist by being heralds of the gospel – truth, justice and right. Amen. Have a fabulous week ahead!
