December 07, 2025 Second Sunday of Advent
Daily Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12
Children of God: One of the most powerful conversion stories in Church history is that of Saint Augustine. In his youth, Augustine lived a worldly and sinful life. He sought pleasure, fame, and knowledge, but none of these satisfied the hunger of his heart. His mother, Saint Monica, never stopped praying for his conversion. One day, while reading the Scriptures, Augustine heard a voice that said, “Take and read.” He opened the Bible and read a passage from Saint Paul urging him to turn away from sin. That moment changed his life forever. He repented, was baptized, and later became one of the greatest saints and teachers of the Church. His story reminds us that repentance begins when the heart finally listens to God’s call.
In the Gospel, John the Baptist cries out in the wilderness, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2). He calls people to turn away from sin and prepare the way of the Lord. His message is urgent because repentance is not simply feeling sorry for our sins but changing direction, that is, turning our hearts toward God. Just as Augustine realized that true happiness was not in the pleasures of the world but in God alone, we too must allow God to transform our hearts from within.
John the Baptist’s voice may have echoed in the desert of Judea, but it continues to echo in the deserts of our hearts today. Many of us live surrounded by noise, distraction, and temptation, yet God still speaks to us quietly, inviting us to renewal. Repentance is not a one-time event; it is a daily choice to return to God. It is admitting, like Saint Augustine did, that we need grace to heal what sin has wounded.
The fruit of repentance is not guilt, but joy. John says, “Bear fruit worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8). This means that when our hearts are changed, our lives must also change: our words become kinder, our actions more just, and our hearts more generous. True repentance makes us instruments of peace and compassion in our families, communities, and Church.
Children of God: Advent is a time to prepare the way of the Lord — not just by decorating our homes, but by cleansing our hearts. Let us allow the voice of John the Baptist to awaken us and the example of Saint Augustine to inspire us. The Lord is coming soon; may He find in us hearts that are humble, repentant, and ready to welcome His light.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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