Preparing the Way for Christ: An Advent Series (Part II)

This past Sunday of the Second Week of Advent, the Prophet Isaiah uses metaphorical lyrics to convey the Advent mood we have just entered.

What does the prophet mean when he says: 


This is prophetic because it shows that the person he speaks about goes far beyond Jesse, who was the Father of David. But the importance of the reference to Jesse is to confirm that the prophecy of God must be fulfilled at his own given time. As the prophecy goes on, it culminates in the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Saint Paul, in his letter to the Romans, baked into this prophetic truth that Prophet Isaiah prophesied when he affirmed, “Brothers and sisters: Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another! In keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Saint Paul simply encourages us in all adversity to remain firm to the truth that was given to you and me in the Scripture. 


We need not go too far to discover that Old Testament prophecies are accomplished in the New Testament. Let us listen to Saint John the Baptist in the Gospel of Matthew, “John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea, 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.” 

My hope is that as we advance to the third Sunday of Advent, we are bringing ourselves to the reality of what Advent is and be open to allow Christ to enter our hearts and homes to transform us. Amen!

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Fr. Uche Obikwelu is a priest of the Diocese of Austin, and serves as pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Kingsland, TX, and Our Lady of the Lake Mission in Sunrise Beach, TX. You can follow Fr. Uche on his X account (@FrObikwelu)