Responsorial Psalm Second Sundayof Advent Year A

Shalom brethren Praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. The Book of Psalms is subdivided into five parts: • Part 1 – Psalms 1-41 • Part 2 – Psalms 42 -72 • Part 3 – Psalms 73 – 89 • Part 4 – Psalms 90 – 106, and finally • Part 5 – Psalms 107 – 150. Psalm 72 is referred to as Psalm for Solomon, or Psalm attributed to Solomon. It is the Psalm that concludes Book 2 or Second part of the Book of Psalms. For our appreciation, the various parts or books within the Book of Psalms conclude with Double Amen, or commonly referred to as the Doxology. You may note that, during Holy Mass we have a Doxology at the conclusion of the Consecration – where we acclaim Amen. Psalm 72, indeed is an attribution to a King. Yes, primarily to Solomon, but ultimately to Christ the King. In Kingdoms, the King rules and also administers justice. It is generally appreciated that during King Solomon’s tenure Israel enjoyed a period of peace, without war with their enemies, compared to his father’s reign. Solomon may therefore be rightly referred to as Prince of Peace, being son of King David, or just King of Peace in his own right. However, we know who the ultimate Prince of Peace is. We know who the actual King of Peace is – Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Heavenly Prince, the King of the Universe. Of interest is the nature of human Justice which in many cases is not administered in favour of the poor in the society. Solomon ruled with great wisdom. His rule was a shadow though of the Rule of the Messiah – Jesus Christ which is described in the First reading from Prophet Isaiah 11:1-10. In this reading, it describes the king who is to come, how he will administer justice in righteousness and how during his tenure, all shall live peacefully. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the bear and cow shall feed together, the lion shall not hunt other animals. The Responsorial Psalm for the Second Sunday of Advent of the Liturgical Year A, is extracted from the larger Psalm 72, which appears to be repeated in Isaiah’s prophecy many years down the ages. Advent is the period for great expectation, not only for commemorating Jesus’s birth during Christmas, but for the second coming as the Lord, King and Judge and also His coming into our lives every day. It is a reverent expectation because in his days, shall Justice flourish and great peace forever. May Justice and peace flourish in our lives, families and our communities today. AMEN.