Producing Good Fruit

Second Sunday of Advent

07 December 2025

 

First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

 

It’s this time of year when parishes across the world organise the Sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for Christmas. I remember the late Fr. Larry Faraon, OP once complained that some people just go to confession to remove their guilt and then repeat the same sins all over again.

In today’s Gospel, we read that John the Baptist had a great following from “Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan”. It was a great sign that a large group of people wanted to be baptised as a sign of their repentance. John welcomed them all, however he did not mince his words when he saw Pharisees and Sadducees falling in line: “You brood of vipers!” (Mt 12:34). Imagine yourself being called as such! He challenged these people to go beyond the ritual by showing that they are sorry for their sins. 

John’s harsh words are also addressed to us. If we are serious of being reconciled with God, we must not just get rid of our guilt every time we go to confession. We must “produce good fruit” (Mt 3:8) as proof of our repentance. Otherwise, we “will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt 3:10). 

The Jubilee Year calls us to hope. One of the threats to this virtue is presumption. John warned the Pharisees and Sadducees not to be presumptuous that they are Abraham’s children: “God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones” (Mt 3:9). We therefore need to be on guard lest we rely on ourselves to be saved or obtain forgiveness from God without conversion (CCC 2092). Being a Christian in name is not enough to be welcomed into God’s Kingdom. We need to be fruitful!

   

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You sent prophets to remind Your people of Your Son’s Coming and our need for repentance. Grant us the grace to be truly sorry for our sins, make a good confession, and do concrete actions to make amends. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

St John the Baptist, pray for us.