Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Today, we celebrate the second Sunday of Advent. The Scripture readings of today’s mass offer us a vision of a people transformed by God and empowered with the many gifts of the Holy Spirit to live a life worthy of His call. They call us to be involved in this process of our transformation by repentance and change of heart - conversion of our attitudes, change of our behavior patterns, maintaining harmony in the community, doing good for others, looking out for other’s needs, resolving conflicts and tension amicably, using God-given gifts to benefit others in our communities, etc.

 

The first reading (Isaiah 11:1-10), gives us an inspiring vision of God doing something radically new for his people by giving them a king empowered with virtues beyond ordinary human understanding.  At the time Isaiah shared this vision, Ahaz was king of Judah (735-732 B.C). He was weak in many ways. In his desperation, he tried to forge a political alliance with foreign powers in order to fend off a hostile takeover of Judah by Assyria. Isaiah counselled against such alliance and encouraged Ahaz to rely on God and God’s way. Even after the Assyrians had invaded, the prophet urged fidelity to God rather than military might and support of allies.

 

Isaiah describes the power and the virtue of the promised king in whom the promise of God would be fulfilled. The spirit of the Lord will bless and empower this chosen king to be a man of virtue beyond all ordinary human understanding. The spirit of the Lord will rest on him and empower him with gifts (Isaiah 11:1-10) – we know them today as the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

 

The Church’s tradition lists seven gifts of the Holy Spirit as Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord, as described in this excerpt from Isaiah (Isaiah 11:1-2). Isaiah saw them as God’s gifts to the king for the service of his people. We see them today as gifts for the common good - for the benefit of the community, and not for personal gain/profit. This list of gifts does not imply that there are no other gifts from the Spirit of God. There are as many gifts as there are people. The list could be seen and understood as inclusive of all gifts that God gives to each of us. It is up to each of us to open ourselves, discern and discover our own gifts with which we are gifted.

 

We are gifted persons, a gifted community and a gifted Church. We are gifted with the Holy Spirit and spirited with His gifts. Let us be grateful. The Holy Spirit calls us to develop these gifts, share them with others and use them for the service of the community.

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To read more of this Sunday’s reflection, please click on the link below...