First reading (Isaiah 11:1-10). The reign of David was the
high point in the history of Israel, but his successors failed
badly. Still, the hope remained that a future king would
succeed where his predecessors failed.
Here Isaiah foretells that even though the family tree of
Jesse (David’s father) has been reduced to a mere stump,
nevertheless from that stump a new shoot (a new king) will
spring. He goes on to sketch a portrait of the true king.
He will be filled with the Spirit of Yahweh and endowed with
all the virtues of his ancestors: the wisdom and
understanding of Solomon, the prudence and might of
David, the knowledge and fear of the Lord of the patriarchs
and prophets. Thus endowed, he will judge fairly and be the
champion of the poor.
Furthermore, he will restore paradisal peace. The images
used here have become proverbial: prey and predator
feeding and sleeping in harmony; a child keeping an adder
as a pet.
Second reading (Romans 15:4-9). Paul sees Jesus as the one
through whom God fulfilled his promises. He highlights the
value of hope. The scriptures show that those who hope
refuse to give up. By urging us to treat others in the same
way Christ has treated us, the reading continues the theme
of peace and harmony of the First Reading.
Gospel (Matthew 3:1-12). Matthew portrays Jesus as the
one who fulfils the Old Testament promises. Here he
introduces us to John the Baptist and his mission. He has
John preaching in the wilderness as Isaiah had foretold, and
baptising with water in anticipation of the one who would
baptise with the Holy Spirit.
He tells us that John wore a garment made of camel hair
with a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts
and wild honey. Why these details about his clothes and
diet? Because this is how Elijah was clothed (2 Kings 1:8).
Thus Matthew is telling us that John is that ’Elijah’ who was
to come.
John begins with the urgent call: ’Repent, for the Kingdom of
Heaven is close at hand.’ For John, the Messiah would be an
uncompromising judge. He issued a particularly grim
warning to the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were to unite
in common opposition to Jesus.