The Presence of God: a Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent, 2025

by Sister Mary Josephine Torborg

Isaiah 11:1-10

Romans 15:4-9

Matthew 3:1-12

In the readings for this Second Sunday of Advent, we dance back and forth between the message of the Prophet Isaiah and the Message of the Prophet John the Baptist in the Gospel of St. Matthew.

The Prophet Isaiah is bringing hope to a traumatized, distressed and despairing people who have been ravaged by war and injustice. Everything they treasured as God’s chosen people has been taken from them. Into this broken world, the Prophet Isaiah is sent by God to assure them that the Messiah will come. In contrast to the constant battles of war, we now have the prophet Isaiah describe a rule by Jesse’s son based on a rule of justice.

A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from His roots a bud shall blossom. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him He shall judge the poor with Justice. And decide aright for the land’s afflicted.       (Is.11: 1,3)

The Spirit of the Lord here indicates the action of God upon the world! All the gifts of the Spirit and justice and peace will be at work in his kingdom.

As we look at the way of the Lord described in the Gospel of Matthew, we see a world in utter confusion and turmoil, very similar to what we are experiencing in 2025.

• The war in Ukraine continues.
• Inflation and high prices are having a traumatic effect upon families.
• We have climate change issues.
• People are working without paid sick leave.
• For many, healthcare benefits are due to expire at the end of this month.
• The United States Congress is in gridlock and unable to compromise.

Early in the Gospel of Matthew, the evangelist tells the story of one of Advent’s most intriguing Prophets, John the Baptist. He writes,

John the Baptist appears preaching in the desert of Judea saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!”  It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said, “A voice of one crying out in the desert, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” (Mt.2:1-3)

Just as John the Baptist, living in the desert, was preparing the way for the Messiah, so are we in our own desert experiences preparing the way for new beginnings in our own lives during this Advent season.

St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans gives us further instructions:

“… By endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”        (Romans, 15:5-6)

Advent provides this time for inner transformation. We allow the Master Artist once again to help us center our lives, to move to new depth of understanding of the awesome Mystery that is unfolding before us. We await new discoveries as we ponder, like May, the Word of God deep within our hearts.

A desire for stillness and solitude can facilitate the work of transformation. T.S. Eliot captures the impact of stillness when he writes in the Four Quartets:

We ought to be explorers

Here or there does not matter

We must be still and still moving

Into another intensity.

For a further union, a deeper communion.

(from East Coker)

To be prepared for this second coming we need to live an awakened life in the present.  Brother Lawrence in his text, The Practice of the Presence of God writes:

“The holiest, most ordinary, and most necessary practice of the spiritual life is that of the presence of God. It is to take delight in and become accustomed to God’s divine company, speaking humbly and conversing lovingly with God at all time, at every moment without rule or measure especially in times of temptation and sin.”

God is aways there for us beckoning us to respond. However, God expects us to be involved in the adventure. We need to make an effort. As our longings and expectations help us to get in touch with the deeper Mysteries of our lives, we move beyond Bethlehem to engage in our broken world with justice, peace and love,; thus, preparing for a new heaven and a new earth.

Joseph Naasl sums up this Advent adventure with these marvelous words:

“We are all pregnant with the presence of God.”

I was struck with the impact of these words. “We are all pregnant with the presence of God.” What an inspiring, grace-filled adventure our Advent will be, when every day we nurture this presence of God growing within us.