Walking with Jesus: Second Sunday of Advent C

For Sunday, December 8, 2024

Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6

Sometimes our minds generate questions concerning Jesus: They could come from ourselves, our readings, our wonders — Is He really alive? Is all that was written about Him true? Some accounts in the Scriptures seem made up. Should I believe in Jesus’ resurrection? Is there historical evidence of Jesus? Is Jesus God? Why should I believe that Jesus is God? Did Jesus say He is God? Why did Jesus have to suffer so badly? It can be hard to believe sometimes.

Does Scripture offer any help? Today’s passages lay out definitive information. Christianity is an historic religion. Luke’s Gospel proclaims a very human and historical religion — today he writes, “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee … during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas … the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the desert … proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins as is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah.” [Luke 3:1-4]

Luke is sharing a lot of names today, assigning the coming of Jesus to a particular time and place. It is very important that the God of all eternity comes to us in the here and now.

And He comes continually — every day — to everyone, to show His love. Jesus told us this!

Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel, has gone through many troubled times — especially when her children are scattered east and west, carried off by enemies. In the minds of the people they are close to extinction: Baruch describes that they are “clothed in the robes of mourning and misery …” [Baruch 5:1] God is listening … God cares … the exiles are coming back … the history of salvation will come through you. Transformed by the glory of God, Jerusalem is told to stand on the heights and witness a second revival of fortune. How is their world to be glorified? Baruch doesn’t say ... but God’s mercy and His plan are being realized. Are they listening? Are we? Christmas is the coming of Jesus to show us the way to God and our heavenly home. Do we want to listen and follow His way, or do what we want to do? Decision time!

Paul is praying for his readers and each of us. His call directly from God is sudden and urgent, carrying a powerful message: Reform, Believe, Follow Me … and Lead My People. “And this is my prayer, that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.” [Philippians 1:9-11] Paul wants to see that the love they witness in Jesus’ life and teaching should be sincere and witnessed by all. Accordingly, their lives must be filled with goodness so others can be witness to the glory and praise of God. That message is the same for us. Remember the message we witnessed from our parents around the Thanksgiving table: Be good, be kind, help out the needy, share your blessings. Paul adds that God loves us so we can love. Are we doing this all the time? Why not?

Luke shows us the ministry of John the Baptist which is steeped in imagery that recalls both the Exodus from Egypt and the return from the Babylonian Exile. Then he shows us John’s activity and the ministry of Jesus squarely in the midst of the broader world. There is betrayal, failure of leadership, lack of concern for the people, power hungry grabbing by the powerful … all happening in the events of salvation in world history. John the Baptist’s mission was to describe what was necessary for becoming Jewish: baptism, along with circumcision and sacrifice. These all involved turning away from evil and toward repentance — metanoia, which involves a change of heart, a conversion. Jesus appeared and continued John’s word explaining the meaning of love, forgiveness and the commandments as part of our daily lives and care for the needy. The people listened to the part of God they wanted to hear. They felt that riches implied God’s favor on them; the part about sharing with those who were needy didn’t enter their minds because they felt the needy were being punished by God for their laziness and sin. Does this creep into our thinking and lives?

So I reflect on: 

• What does “prepare the way of the Lord” mean to me?
• What about Isaiah’s words, “all flesh shall see the salvation of God?”
• What are some things that I might do for both of the above today, and during each day of Advent?

Sacred Space 2025 states:

“St. Luke, writing for the Gentile world, announces the beginning of the public ministry of John the Baptist, the last of the prophets before Christ. He is to prepare the way for the Messiah through hearts that are purified by their repentance for their sins. Only hearts that have turned away from sinful ways can receive the message of the Good News.

“John the Baptist attracts a large following by his preaching and by his witnessing to a simple and austere life. Are we willing to make changes in our lifestyle to be more open to the message of Christ?”