Sunday 7 December 2025 - Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Shoots of Hope, Rivers of Repentance, Songs of Unity

Isaiah 11:1–5, 10a

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, today we hear Isaiah’s prophecy: “A shoot shall come forth from the stump of Jesse, and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.” Isaiah spoke to a people who felt cut down, hopeless, and surrounded by injustice. Yet he announced that from what looked dead, life would spring forth. This is a message of hope, hope that God’s Spirit brings renewal, justice, and peace.

Think of a tree that has been felled: the stump looks lifeless, but then, one day, a green shoot pushes through. That is Isaiah’s image, God’s promise that new life will rise where despair seemed final. Here are the themes:

1. The Spirit of Renewal

Isaiah describes the Spirit resting upon the promised ruler with wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and reverence for God.

• Wisdom and understanding mean seeing beyond appearances.

• Counsel and strength mean acting with courage.

• Knowledge and reverence mean grounding leadership in humility.

This Spirit is not about domination but about service. It equips the ruler to defend the poor, uplift the humble, and confront injustice.

Analogy: Just as a skilled doctor does not treat only the symptoms but seeks the root cause, so Isaiah’s ruler judges not by appearances but by truth.

2. Justice for the Humble and Poor

Isaiah insists that true leadership is measured by how it treats the weak. The poor are not forgotten; the humble are not ignored. The wicked are confronted.

Example: In our world, we often see leaders who judge by wealth, tribe, or appearance. Isaiah reminds us that God’s ruler judges by righteousness. Like a farmer who separates wheat from chaff, God’s justice discerns what is fruitful and what is empty.

3. The Power of Words

Isaiah says the ruler’s words will shake the earth. Words matter. They can heal or wound, build or destroy.

• In families, a kind word can restore peace.

• In communities, truthful words can expose corruption.

• Online, words can spread lies or bring light.

Isaiah reminds us that words rooted in righteousness carry divine power.

Analogy: Just as thunder shakes the skies, so truth shakes consciences.

4. Righteousness and Faithfulness

Isaiah portrays righteousness and faithfulness as the ruler’s belt, the strength that holds everything together. Without them, leadership collapses. With them, nations are drawn to peace.

Example: A belt holds a garment in place. Without it, everything falls apart. In the same way, righteousness and faithfulness hold society together.

5. Hope for All Nations

Isaiah’s vision is not limited to Israel. He says all nations will turn to this ruler. This is a universal hope: God’s justice is for everyone, transcending boundaries of tribe, race, and nation.

Analogy: Just as light from the sun shines on every house, so God’s justice shines on every people.

Romans 15:4–9a

Introduction

Paul reminds us that “everything written in former times was written to instruct and encourage us, so that we can trust in God with confidence, patience, and endurance.”

This passage is about memory, encouragement, and unity. It is about learning from the past so that we can live faithfully in the present. It is about welcoming one another as Christ welcomed us, so that together we may give glory to God. Here are the themes:

1. Learning from the Past

Paul insists that scripture is not just history; it is instruction and encouragement.

• Analogy: Think of a family photo album. The pictures are not just memories; they are lessons. A photo of grandparents working hard in the fields reminds us of perseverance. A picture of parents sacrificing for their children teaches us love. In the same way, scripture is God’s photo album, stories that instruct and encourage us.

  
  

Anecdote: I once heard of a young man who kept his grandfather’s worn Bible by his bedside. The margins were filled with notes, prayers, and underlined verses. Whenever he felt discouraged, he would open it and read not only the words of scripture but also the wisdom of his grandfather’s faith. That Bible became a living testimony of endurance.

2. Encouragement and Harmony

Paul prays that God will help us live in harmony with one another, so that we may glorify God with one united voice.

• Harmony is not uniformity. Just as a choir has sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses, unity in Christ means different voices blending.

  
  

• Analogy: A symphony orchestra has violins, drums, trumpets, and flutes. Each instrument is different, but when they play together, the music is beautiful. In the same way, the church is diverse, different tribes, languages, and personalities, but when we live in harmony, we glorify God.

  
  

Story: In one parish, there was tension between two groups who disagreed about worship style. Some wanted traditional hymns; others wanted contemporary songs. One Sunday, the choir director surprised everyone by combining both, a hymn sung with drums and guitars. The congregation realized that unity was not about choosing one style over another but about blending voices to glorify God together.

3. Welcoming One Another

Paul says: “You should accept and welcome one another, just as Christ has accepted and welcomed you.”

• Christ welcomed us not because we were perfect, but because we were loved.

• Analogy: Imagine a feast where the host invites not only friends but strangers, the poor, and the marginalized. That is Christ’s table.

  
  

Anecdote: A church once opened its doors to refugees who had just arrived in the community. At first, there was hesitation, different languages, different customs. But over time, the congregation learned songs in the refugees’ language, shared meals, and celebrated together. What began as charity became true fellowship. They discovered that welcoming others is not a burden but a blessing.

4. Christ the Servant

Paul concludes by reminding us that Christ became a servant, first to Israel, to fulfil God’s promises, and then to all nations, so that everyone might glorify God.

• Christ’s mission was service, not domination.

• Analogy: A candle does not lose its light by lighting another candle. Christ’s service to Israel became light for all nations.

  
  

Story: A teacher once told her students: “The greatest leaders are those who serve.” She shared the story of a king who disguised himself as a commoner to walk among his people. He listened to their struggles, shared their meals, and carried their burdens. When he revealed himself, the people loved him not because of his crown, but because of his compassion. That is Christ, the servant king.

Matthew 3:1–12

Introduction

Brethren, today’s Gospel presents John the Baptist, the fiery prophet in the wilderness, crying out: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” His mission was not to entertain, but to awaken. He was a voice, not an echo. He stood unclothed by luxury, clothed instead in camel’s hair, eating locusts and wild honey. His life itself was a sermon, a call to simplicity, truth, and repentance.

John’s message was sharp like the cutlass in the hand of a farmer: “Any tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” He warned the religious leaders that heritage alone, being children of Abraham was not enough. Repentance must bear fruit. His baptism was water, but he pointed to Christ, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Refactoring John’s Mission into Igbo Evangelical Mission

“Onye na-agba ọsọ na-enweghị isi, na-agba ọsọ n’efu.” (He who runs without direction, runs in vain).

In Igbo land, we say: “Nwata kwocha aka, osoro okenye rie nri.” (When a child washes his hands, he dines with elders).

Repentance is the washing of hands; it is the cleansing that allows us to sit at the table of God. John’s mission, when translated into Igbo evangelical life, becomes a call to cultural renewal, to wash our hands of greed, corruption, and selfishness, so that we may dine with Christ in truth.

The Igbo worldview treasures ọfọ na ogu, symbols of justice and innocence. Just as John cried against hypocrisy, the Igbo mission must cry against injustice, against leaders who wear the garment of religion but deny the spirit of truth. “Eziokwu bụ ndụ.” (Truth is life). Without truth, our worship is empty.

Igbo Culture and Evangelical Mission

• Clan (Umunna): John preached in the wilderness, yet people gathered. In Igbo life, community is sacred. Evangelization must be communal, not just individual repentance, but collective renewal.

• Tradition of Proverbs: John used images of trees, axes, wheat, and chaff. In Igbo preaching, proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten. “Oke osisi na-ebu ụzọ daa, ka e si amata na oke ọhịa na-ada.” (When a great tree falls, the forest knows its strength). The fall of sin in one person affects the whole community.

• Respect for Elders and Ancestors: John warned against relying on Abraham. In Igbo life, we honour ancestors, but we must not idolize heritage. Faith is not inheritance; it is living obedience. “Ihe onye metere, ọ na-eso ya.” (What a person does follows him).

  
  

Igbo Evangelical Mission in a Technological World

Today, the wilderness is no longer only the desert; it is the digital space. Social media is the new Jordan River where voices cry out. But many voices are echoes, not prophets. The Igbo evangelical mission must learn to use technology as John used his voice, boldly, truthfully, without fear.

• Just as John’s camel hair showed simplicity, our digital mission must resist vanity and false glamour.

• Just as John’s locusts and honey showed survival on essentials, our mission must focus on substance, not noise.

• Just as John separated wheat from chaff, we must separate truth from misinformation in this age of viral lies.

“Onye ajụjụ adịghị efu ụzọ.” (He who asks questions does not lose his way).

In this technological wilderness, the Igbo church must ask: Are we bearing fruit online? Are we using digital tools to spread repentance, justice, and communal dignity? Or are we echoing vanity?

Practical Evangelical Plan for Igbo Mission

1.      Digital Catechesis: Use WhatsApp, Facebook, and radio to teach repentance in Igbo idioms and proverbs.

2.      Community Witness: Evangelization must address corruption, injustice, and communal neglect. “Agwọ anaghị eri agwọ, ma mmadụ na-eri mmadụ.” (A snake does not eat another snake, but humans devour each other). We must stop devouring one another through greed.

3.      Youth Empowerment: John was young and fiery. Igbo youth must be trained as digital prophets, voices crying in the wilderness of technology.

4.      Cultural Integration: Evangelization must honour Igbo music, dance, and storytelling as vehicles of the Gospel. “Egwu bụ ndụ.” (Music is life). Let our evangelism sing life, not death.

5. Truth and Justice: Just as John confronted hypocrisy, the Igbo mission must confront corruption in politics, business, and even the church.

General Conclusion

Isaiah’s prophecy is ultimately about hope.

• Hope that God brings renewal where there is despair.

• Hope that justice will prevail for the poor and humble.

• Hope that righteousness and faithfulness will bind communities together.

• Hope that nations will be drawn to God’s peace.

Beloved, Isaiah’s vision challenges us today: Are we living by appearances, or by righteousness? Are our words shaking the earth with truth, or echoing vanity? Are we bearing fruit of justice and faithfulness, or are we chaff?

Let us remember: “Truth is life.” When righteousness and faithfulness are our strength, then the stump becomes a shoot, and despair becomes renewal.

Romans 15:4–9a is a call to memory, encouragement, unity, welcome, and service.

• We learn from scripture as from a family album of faith.

• We live in harmony like a choir of many voices.

• We welcome one another as Christ welcomed us.

• We serve, because Christ himself became a servant.

Beloved, let us remember: “Truth is life, and unity is strength.” When we trust God with patience and endurance, when we welcome one another in love, then our voices rise together as one, giving glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John’s cry in the wilderness is today’s cry in Igbo land: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

The axe is still at the root of the tree. The wheat and chaff are still being separated. The Igbo evangelical mission must be a mission of truth, justice, and communal renewal, both in the village square and in the digital square.

“Onye kwe, chi ya ekwe.” (When one agrees, his personal god agrees).

If we agree to repent, to bear fruit, and to live truthfully, then our Chi will agree with us, and the kingdom of heaven will not only be near, but it will also be among us.