Hark, the Herald Prophet Speaks…

 Second Week of Advent, December 7, 2025

For those of us who grew up in 1990s watching Saturday Night Live, there was a sketch with Hans and Franz—two fake Austrian body builders who would clap their hands and “pump you up.” As I was thinking about this Gospel reading today, they had another line that kept jumping out at me. They would often warn their viewers that failing to stay “pumped up” would result in severe health consequences. They said: “Listen to me now or hear me later.” Pay attention to what I’m saying now or face the music down the road.

In many ways, that is what our Gospel is saying to us today. We have John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus, living in the wilderness and proclaiming “repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” John had lived among the trees, rocks, and vipers that roamed the hills of Judea. But the message of repentance is the core of the Gospel; Jesus himself repeated it often.

Repent is not a great word in English. The Greek translation is metanoia, which means to not just be sorry for wrongs we have caused, but to fundamentally change our orientation. The French translation may be more helpful—amendez vous—mend, repair, and re-direct my life towards the Lord. This is not just our thoughts, but it also must be our actions.

John is the herald of a new age. He is the precursor, the prophet who points to Jesus—quite literally in the lines of this chapter of Matthew—and speaks of the need for repentance.

As we enter the second Sunday of Advent, this is a beautiful Gospel to remind us of the need for preparation, of making ourselves and our families ready for the coming of the Christ Child—not just today but every day. The saving power of Jesus is our everlasting hope.

When John says that we need to “make straight” our lives, he’s not just talking about our future actions, words, and thoughts—he’s talking about right now. Immediately. The Greek word here is “Euthys” (G2117) meaning “forthwith” or “with speed”. Indeed, in our Collect, we pray that God enables us to “make haste to meet your son,” our Lord. We cannot wait. He cannot wait.

Jesus is telling us that in this time of Advent, “draw near to me. I am coming. Listen to my Word and turn your hearts to my love.”

We can do that through absorbing the words of the Prophet John. As one scholar put it bluntly: “His voice is a new one that strikes terror to the perfunctory theologians of the temple.” (A.T. Robertson, p.25). John does not mince words. He is clear, direct, and unabashed about what we need to do.

As we consider our week ahead, in preparation for the descent of God’s only Son for our salvation, let’s consider what Jesus is telling us.

·        How can we draw nearer to him in preparation? Can we spend time in Adoration? Can we pray for peace in our hearts, in our families, and our world? Can we make sure that the poor, whom he loved, are cared for during these cold and dark days?

·        How can we spend time listening to His Word? Are we reading the “Waiting Well” advent reflections? Have we cracked open a Bible and read a passage, meditating upon its meaning in our lives and how we can live fruitfully?

·        Finally, how do we turn our hearts to His? Have we attended the beautiful sacrament of reconciliation or a communal penance service? Are we free from material or worldly attachments, so that we can follow Jesus—Cross and all? How can we better serve Him?

Noah was the preacher of righteousness. John is the Hearld of the coming of Jesus Christ. And Christ is Lord of all now and forever. This week, let us live the Gospel of Light and Love, making our hearts ready for His approaching birth.

Listen to me now, or hear me later.

Amen.

Photo: Willem Reuter (c. 1665) Saint John the Baptist Preaching. NGA

https://www.nga.gov/artworks/129283-saint-john-baptist-preaching