During this season of expectant waiting, today’s readings draw our attention to God’s signs of the coming Christ and ask us to examine our own hearts to determine if we are ready to receive Jesus. Balaam’s prophecy predicts the promise of a great ruler, as he “see[s] him, though not now…behold[s] him, though not near.” We can interpret Balaam’s voice to the oracle as a Messianic foretelling of Jesus as the star who shall advance from Jacob and who will rise from Israel. Christ’s birth and Second Coming will be the fulfillment of God’s promise, as understood through Balaam’s forecast.

Moreover, the Gospel reading from Matthew eloquently directs us to contemplate another sign from God of Jesus’ imminent approach: John the Baptist’s role as the forerunner of Christ. As a preeminent messenger who preached repentance and preparation of the way for the Lord, John and his teachings are central figures for us to consider this Advent. How can we embody the spirit of John as a messenger of the Good News of Christ’s arrival to our communities? How do we respond to God’s messengers in today’s world? Are we open to listening to messages of repentance and transformation, even when those ideas force us out of our comfortability? Will we object to living in spiritual blindness and embrace this precious and sacred time to clear away pride and make space for Jesus’ unending humility and love?

To further assess the readiness of our hearts for Jesus, we turn to today’s gospel, which chronicles the questioning of Jesus’ authority by the elders and chief priests. The passage succinctly articulates that Jesus’ teachings and action embody divine power, highlighting that Jesus’ authority comes directly from God. Yet, the religious leaders cling to self-interest, spiritual pride, and high societal position to attempt to corner Jesus into admitting that human institutions provide authority. Like the chief priests and elders, we may not always recognize and accept Christ’s authority and divinity in our lives if we allow fear, pride, and self-righteousness occlude our relationship with God.

During Advent, it is our opportunity to return our focus to God’s will and dig deeper into the truth of God’s authority over human power. Jesus will arrive in our world as a king, not with militaristic armies and untenable wealth, but with meek beginnings in a manager. He does not rule with an iron fist, but rather a humble heart. Whereas we experience hardships, war, and poverty under current human political regimes, we anticipate that all sorrows will be eradicated in the kingdom of heaven. Advent offers hope that God’s kingdom will prevail over evil and that Christ’s coming will bring peace into our lives. We must utilize this time to prepare not only for Christ’s birth but also for the Second Coming where Jesus’ divine authority will be fully revealed.