Commentary to the 3rd Sunday of Advent (A)

The Baptist. Invited to be converted

 Introduction

 “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John” (Jn 1:6). He was destined to prepare Israel for the coming of the Messiah. “Repent—he said—because the kingdom of the heaven is now at hand” (Mt 3:2).

 His message is clear; the language is hard; the proposal is demanding.

 Austere and blameless, he gave the impression of being a master of life. He is confident of himself and his own certainties, firm, unyielding. However—like everyone else—he had perplexities, anxieties, and inner torments.

Jesus cultivated a profound respect for him and understood him. One day he asked him to review his own theological and religious convictions. He made him understand that he had to realize in himself the conversion he asked others to do. ?Last Sunday’s liturgy brought the message of John the Baptist. Today it presents us with his example.

John did not teach only in words, but showed with his life, how we must always be ready to call into question our own securities when we are confronted with the novelty of God.

Like him, anyone who is in a passionate pursuit of truth should be prepared to meet the Truth.

To internalize the message, we repeat:

“The Lord does not come to condemn, but to heal.”

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