Father Larry Gillick SJ concludes his reflection on the
texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the second Sunday in Advent with
words from Psalm 126 “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with
joy.” The Book of the Prophet Baruch tells of the call, from offstage in Father
Larry’s words, to find joy in the call of God for a new Exodus from exile to
return to the life with God in the Holy City, Jerusalem, where peace and justice
will reign again. The new Exodus will be facilitated by God as the mountains of
doubt and fear are laid low and the valleys of disappointment and despair are
filled in. God seeks restoration of the Covenant relationship. This joy will
involve triumph over troubles. Paul expresses his great joy at the faithfulness
and growth of the Philippians in bringing the fruit of their relationship,
seeking holiness in Jesus, to the assistance of Paul. The Apostle to the
Gentiles is joyful even as, according to Friar Jude Winkler, he contemplates
the end of his human existence. The call to be joyful comes in the Gospel of
Luke from one crying in the desert. The Prophet, John the Baptist, is preparing
the people to welcome Jesus who will lead them to the Kingdom of God as the
same mountains and uncertain pathways that distracted the exiles in the time of
Baruch are flattened and straightened with joy and faith that God continues
daily to seek out His lost and welcome them to the Holy One.
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