SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, DECEMBER 7, 2025

MASS READINGS

Gospel Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:

A voice of one crying out in the desert,

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.

John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.

And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father. 'For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.

I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

REFLECTION

"You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance."

Every time the cycle of readings comes back to St. John the Baptist's proclamations I keep pondering why did he call them "brood of vipers"? Were their bad actions very obvious but only he dared to call them on their behavior? Were they concealing bad deeds and pretending to be good, but was St. John the Baptist able to discern the Pharisees' and Sadducees' hearts?

In any case, there is a lot of tough love in there. He is telling bad people they are bad and that they need to repent and do good, produce good fruit. How would I know if I'm a viper? How can I produce good fruit?

St. Francis de Sales in his book "Introduction to the Devout Life" gives us a very simple roadmap where we can change our ways, strive for holiness, and follow God. Amongst them are the practice of virtues, such as humility; frequent confession and Holy Communion.

This great Doctor of the Church explains humility at great length, and the importance of confession, and how to select a good confessor. Daily examination of conscience and asking the Holy Spirit to help us discern our faults well is recommended. Renounce these faults so we can start to feel sorrow for them, and confess them to a priest.

Feeling sorrow for our faults should not be a way to feel discouraged because of our weakness, but a way to grow in love for God. Saint Francis de Sales tells us to be gentle with ourselves. He also wrote:

“Dear imperfections, they force us to acknowledge our misery, give us practice in humility, selflessness, patience, and watchfulness; yet, notwithstanding, God looks at the preparation of our heart and sees that it is perfect” (Letters of Spiritual Direction).

During this time of Advent, many parishes host evening confession. Many priests come and spend a few hours hearing confession and absolving people from their sins.

Let's take advantage of this great opportunity the Church gives us to come back to God and be ready for the celebration of His birth.

God bless y'all! Happy Advent!