2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 7TH DECEMBER 2025

    My dear friends in Christ,

We gather on this Second Sunday of Advent, the Word of God invites us into a season of hope, expectation, and honest self-examination. Today’s readings speak powerfully to us—here in London, in our families, our workplaces, and in our parish community—about the kind of people we are called to become as we await the Lord.

Our first reading, from Isaiah, paints a beautiful picture: “A shoot shall spring from the root of Jesse.” Jesse was the father of King David, and from that family line, God promised to raise a new kind of king—one filled with wisdom, justice, and peace. Isaiah describes a world where wolves lie with lambs, children play safely, and harmony replaces fear. This is God’s dream for the world: a community where differences do not lead to division, where power is used for peace, and where all creation lives in unity.

When we listen to this prophecy in our multicultural, diverse parish, St. John Vianney—where languages, cultures, and religions meet on the same streets every day—we can almost imagine how powerful this prophecy is. Isaiah invites us to picture a society where we do not merely tolerate one another but live with deep respect, trust, and compassion.

Our second reading from St. Paul to the Romans continues this message. Paul encourages us to live in harmony, to “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.” Advent reminds us that Christ welcomes us not because we are perfect, but because we belong to Him. And just as Christ welcomes us, we must welcome each other—whether we differ in ideas, nationalities, personalities, or even political views.

In our parish family at St. John Vianney, we are blessed with people from many nations and walks of life. This diversity is not a challenge—it is a gift! But like all gifts, it requires care. Harmony does not happen automatically; we must work for it. It grows when we listen, forgive, support those who are struggling, and make space for each other’s differences.

In the Gospel, John the Baptist bursts onto the scene like a loud alarm clock. His message is straightforward: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.” Repentance is not about feeling guilty; it is about realigning our lives with God. Like a driver checking their GPS after missing a turn, repentance means adjusting our direction, so we move toward God rather than wandering away from Him.

John the Baptist also warns the Pharisees and Sadducees—people who had become too comfortable in their religious roles. They relied on their titles and traditions but had stopped producing the “good fruit” that God expects. This is a gentle warning to all of us: being a Christian is not only about coming to church but allowing the Gospel to shape our daily lives—our words, our decisions, our priorities.

So, what might repentance and good fruit look like for us here at St. John Vianney?

• In our families: choosing patience over irritation, forgiveness over resentment, and family time over constant rushing.