Walking with Jesus: Second Sunday of Advent

For Sunday, December 10, 2023

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8

What is going on around us? Have you heard what is happening? If I was asked these questions today I would think of the crisis in Israel with Hamas and Gaza … or the war between Russia and Ukraine … or the political uncertainty in our own country, trying to discover who will bring us through these troubling times. Or maybe about the political disturbances in other areas of the world … or the climate crisis … or with the severe possibility of Covid returning in a fearsome display of sickness and death.

Our readings today reveal the questions that were disturbing people in the then much smaller occupied and developed world of antiquity — regions being controlled by strong military nations infected with the need to be richer and more powerful, acquiring more land and people and natural resources. But something much bigger loomed in front of these concerns: the promise, albeit with confusing predictions, of a “savior.” Generating hope, this coming savior also instilled fear among secular leaders who were afraid of losing their power, control, and riches. But the poor and suffering needed help to live ... the conquered needed peace and freedom. And all needed hope and love — love that would last.

“Prepare the way of the Lord … His glory shall be revealed … the Lord does not delay His promise … He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Those reading Isaiah sense the coming of a conqueror: first with his armies; no doubt pillaging and robbing them of royalty, learned teachers and religious and scientific minds — as when Babylon came and destroyed all. Peter’s readers remember God saying that things eventually go back to the “way it always was.” Mark introduces a new “genre” or “category,” starting with a “beginning” — the same word that opens Genesis. What is this? Who is this person — this central figure — “Jesus Christ, the Son of God?” Soon Matthew follows, then Luke and, many years later, John. Paul’s letters all come before Mark.

So much to unfold … and Jesus came to tell us all … we are loved and promised Heaven.

Isaiah is reminding the people that the return from Babylonian captivity is over. Their time of suffering and distress is at an end and their collective guilt for their failures, giving up on God and not following His ways, is over. Now they are to prepare the “way” — the “return” to the Lord. Jerusalem will now be a “herald” with God as king and ruler, caring for them like a shepherd ... feeding, protecting and leading them. God stands above all … God has called us all. Am I listening to God and His ways and commands? Or do I prefer the easy way; that is, my way?

Peter is preparing the people: God has not yet returned to judge the world as all followers of Jesus have been expecting. The “scoffers” (religion mockers) are wondering if He ever will return. There have been scoffers about God from the very beginning. This poses a threat to the faithful: Is God a figment of my imagination? They feel that there can be no “promise” if there is no living God to speak or act. Peter argues that Scripture proves that God has intervened and continues to do so. Peter and others have witnessed this at the Transfiguration. Peter insists that God’s time cannot be measured by human time. God’s apparent delay is to bring us to repentance. How am I doing? Is my patience unraveling?

Mark reveals the answer to all quests for God’s presence and help by introducing Jesus, labeling him not only as Jesus but Jesus the Anointed One — and not just Jesus the Christ, but Jesus the Christ who is the Son of God. Now Mark introduces John the Baptist as the one whom the prophets foretold. What does all of this mean? It means that all of creation anticipates the Anointed One, who Himself represents a new beginning of hope for all creation. Mark states the bottom-line question while the disciples are being tossed about in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, terrified of drowning and dying: Jesus asks, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith? They were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?’” [Mark 4:40-41]

So I reflect on:

• We live in so many times ... my time ... the kids’ time while traveling ... waiting for a diagnosis … even for death. Am I living and preparing to be forever with God in heaven? Where is my patience? What do I need from the Spirit when I lose sight of God?

Sacred Space 2024 states:

“The Gospel is the good news of Jesus, the Son of God. It moves quickly to John the Baptist, who fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah in introducing Jesus. He proclaimed repentance in the wilderness, drawing crowds. Lord, may we find you in the wilderness of this time and draw inspiration from John in living simply and announcing Your presence.

“A good facilitator does not say too much or draw attention to self. John gives a very good example. May we introduce the Lord, show the way and politely step aside when not needed.”