The Proclamation of Conversion

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the 2nd Sunday in Advent are themed today around the topic of conversion. Isaiah creates the image of the peaceful kingdom, which is a fruit of conversion, where the lion and lamb lie down together. The psalmist looks to the time when the righteousness of God is evident in the lives of the people. Paul proclaims that the Good News which he is called to deliver is news of communion with the divine for all humanity. The most observant Pharisee of them all is inspired to know the invitation to intimacy with God is not just for the Jews but is from the Jews to the Gentiles. Matthew tells of the preaching of John the Baptist, who was the immediate predecessor of Jesus, calling for the opening of the people to conversion through abandonment of the practices of self aggrandizement.