December 4, 2022
Second Sunday for Advent (Year A)
Readings for Today
Listen for English
When e see plenty Pharisees and Sadducees dey come for the baptism wey e dey do, e tell dem, “Una wey be children of poisonous snakes! Who warn una make una run from the wrath wey dey come? Make una bear good fruit to show say una don turn from sin come back to God.” Matthew 3:7–8
This meeting get strong tension, but e still holy well-well. The tension strong because Saint John the Baptist, wey don popular well-well, wey people respect and regard as great prophet, talk harshly to the Pharisees and Sadducees. E talk say, “Una wey be children of poisonous snakes!” No be so people normally dey talk to the Pharisees and Sadducees.
John talk like this because na the truth. These religious leaders no dey lead anybody closer to God. Person only need to reflect on all the things wey Jesus go later tell the Pharisees and Sadducees to understand the kind people wey these religious leaders don become.
So, this passage truly get strong tension. But e still holy well-well. E holy because this “children of poisonous snakes” need serious correction. Dem need to condemn dem and challenge dem to change. Dem need to learn humility. And nothing dey humble person pass to sincerely turn from im sins come back to God for public.
Notice say John no reject these leaders just like that. Instead, e demand “evidence” from dem say dem don turn from sin come back to God. Why? Na because of the spiritual harm wey these men do the people of Israel through their pride, the way dem see themselves as righteous, their hypocrisy, their love for public honour, the way dem dey condemn others, and other things like that. Dem don twist the faith so much that, for the good of their souls, dem need to turn from sin come back to God for public. Everybody need to see sincere good fruits wey dey come from their lives as sign say dem don change. Even though this na very hard thing for the Pharisees and Sadducees to do, na their road to holiness be that.
Na so e still be for us. If you don allow yourself fall inside some of the same traps wey the Pharisees and Sadducees fall into, then you too go gain plenty if you change with humility for way wey everybody fit clearly see. If you don dey struggle with seeing yourself as righteous, tongue wey dey always find fault, attitude of “I holy pass you,” or attitude of judging others, then you fit really need to humble yourself and turn from sin come back to God for public.
Today, reflect on the Pharisees and Sadducees. Try understand their sin and why John call dem “children of poisonous snakes.” If you see any of their pride and the way dem see themselves as righteous inside your own soul, then listen to this strong advice from John the Baptist as if na you e dey talk to directly. “Make una bear good fruit to show say una don turn from sin come back to God.” Do this, and God go set you free through the gift of true humility.
My humble Lord, You dey call everybody make dem turn from sin come back to You with deep humility and sincerity. Abeg, help me see my sin and make I no ever dodge to face am, so that You go fit free me from that dirt and make me stand more firmly for the road to holiness. Jesus, na You I trust.
Novena to the Immaculate Conception
November 29-December 7
See All Our Materials for Advent
Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
As tradition be, dem dey pray di Saint Andrew Christmas Novena prayer wey dey below 15 times every day from November 30, di Feast of Saint Andrew, reach Christmas Eve.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Advent
Saint of the Day – Saint John Damascene, Priest, Member of Religious Order and Doctor of the Church
Dem no dey celebrate am as liturgical memorial this year because e fall on Sunday
