Fr. William's Notes

Reflection on the Gospel Reading Matthew 3:1-12 The figure and message of John the Baptizer was harsh and yet attractive. Living a solitary existence John emerged from the desert (now in Transjordan), clothed in the rough garb reminiscent of the ancient prophets, preaching a startling simple message: Reform your lives because the reign of God is at hand! Unpolished, straightforward in his criticism of contemporary society, John’s spreading reputation from Jerusalem, all Judea

Reflection on the Second Reading Romans 13:11-14 Paul shared the early Christians’ expectation of Christ’s imminent return. He may have been one of the first apostles to proclaim this apocalyptic gospel drawn from late Jewish traditions. In this passage he urged the Romans to be unceasingly aware of the new order Jesus came to bring. They were to mirror his life in word and action. At the same time, as C.H. Dodd pointed out, the idea of the imminent “Day of the Lord” may have