The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to be prepared to be agents of joy and gratitude as we accept the prompting of the Spirit to relive the Birth of the Messiah.
The reading from the Prophet Baruch declares the people will be brought back in a New Exodus
b. [5:2] Ex 39:30; Wis 18:24; Is 61:10; 62:3.
Psalm 126 praises a Harvest of Joy.
* [Psalm 126] A lament probably sung shortly after Israel’s return from exile. The people rejoice that they are in Zion (Ps 126:1–3) but mere presence in the holy city is not enough; they must pray for the prosperity and the fertility of the land (Ps 126:4). The last verses are probably an oracle of promise: the painful work of sowing will be crowned with life (Ps 126:5–6). (Psalms, PSALM 126, n.d.)
The reading from the Letter to the Philippians is Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Philippians.
* [1:3–11] As in Rom 1:8–15 and all the Pauline letters except Galatians, a thanksgiving follows, including a direct prayer for the Philippians (Phil 1:9–11); see note on Rom 1:8. On their partnership for the gospel (Phil 1:5), cf. Phil 1:29–30; 4:10–20. Their devotion to the faith and to Paul made them his pride and joy (Phil 4:1). The characteristics thus manifested are evidence of the community’s continuing preparation for the Lord’s parousia (Phil 1:6, 10). Paul’s especially warm relationship with the Philippians is suggested here (Phil 1:7–8) as elsewhere in the letter. The eschatology serves to underscore a concern for ethical growth (Eph 1:9–11), which appears throughout the letter. (Philippians, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke shares the Proclamation of John the Baptist.
* [3:1–20] Although Luke is indebted in this section to his sources, the Gospel of Mark and a collection of sayings of John the Baptist, he has clearly marked this introduction to the ministry of Jesus with his own individual style. Just as the gospel began with a long periodic sentence (Lk 1:1–4), so too this section (Lk 3:1–2). He casts the call of John the Baptist in the form of an Old Testament prophetic call (Lk 3:2) and extends the quotation from Isaiah found in Mk 1:3 (Is 40:3) by the addition of Is 40:4–5 in Lk 3:5–6. In doing so, he presents his theme of the universality of salvation, which he has announced earlier in the words of Simeon (Lk 2:30–32). (Luke, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)
John Shea, S.J. comments that God is constantly inviting us into a deeper and more loving relationship. God takes the initiative in our relationship. And so, God has already done all the heavy lifting: “God has [already] commanded that every lofty mountain be made low” and “God is [already] leading Israel in joy.” Our Psalm reminds us that “The Lord has [already] done great things for us.”
God has already done everything. God’s graces have already been gift wrapped and delivered to us with a bow on top. During this second week of Advent, I see an invitation to sit back, let go, and let God. Consider everything that God has already done in your life. Consider all the graces you’ve already received in your lifetime. Consider all the people who have already helped shape and form you into the person you are today. Just as John the Baptist helped prepare the way for Jesus, consider those people, events, and circumstances in your life that have already helped you prepare for Jesus. And give thanks! (Shea, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Touching Jesus by faith,” by Augustine of Hippo, 430-543 A.D.
"Consider the text 'And all flesh shall see the salvation of God' (Luke 3:6). There is no difficulty at all in taking this to mean 'And all flesh shall see the Christ of God.' After all, Christ was seen in the body and will be seen in the body when he comes again to judge the living and the dead. Scripture has many texts showing that he is the 'salvation of God,' particularly the words of the venerable old man, Simeon, who took the child in his arms and said, 'Now let your servant go in peace, O Lord, according to your word, because my eyes have seen your salvation' (Luke 2:29-30)." (excerpt from CITY OF GOD 22.29) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us notes that today’s first reading contains a prophecy of what God would accomplish for the Jewish people as they languished in exile in Babylon.
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the passage from Baruch that prophesies that the people will be brought home from exile to home that would be a true paradise. Paul writes affectionately, from prison, about the community of Philippians and reminds them of the Day of the Lord even as they are suffering. Friar Jude notes that Luke, as a Stoic, expresses the understanding that God has a plan in history for Gentiles and Jews that will be fulfilled by the Messiah.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, invites us to consider our images of God and how they shape us. There is an absolute connection between how we see God and how we see ourselves and the universe. The word “God” is a stand-in word for everything—Reality, truth, and the very shape of our universe. This is why good theology and spirituality can make such a major difference in how we live our daily lives in this world.
Our goal, of course, is to grow toward an adult religion that includes reason, faith, and inner experience we can trust. A mature God creates mature people. A big God creates big people. A punitive God creates punitive people.
If our mothers were punitive, our God is usually punitive too. We will then spend much of our lives submitting to that punitive God or angrily reacting against it. If our father figures were cold and withdrawn, we will assume that God is cold and withdrawn too—all Scriptures, Jesus, and mystics to the contrary. If all authority in our lives came through men, we probably assume and even prefer a male image of God, even if our hearts desire otherwise. As we were taught in Scholastic philosophy, “Whatever is received is received in the manner of the receiver.” [1] This is one of those things hidden in plain sight, but it still remains well-hidden to most Christians.
All of this is mirrored in political worldviews as well. Good theology makes for good politics and positive social relationships. Bad theology makes for stingy politics, a largely reward/punishment frame, xenophobia, and highly controlled relationships. (Rohr, n.d.)
We anticipate the Christmas proclamation of “Joy to the World” and ponder our own preparation to be open to the transformation of our lives that we are called to embrace.
References
Baruch CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/baruch/5?1
Luke, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 8, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/3?1
Philippians, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 8, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/1?4
Psalms, PSALM 126. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 8, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/126?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Letting Our Images Mature. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 8, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/letting-our-images-mature/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Word of God Came to John. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 8, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec8
Shea, J. (2024, December 8). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved December 8, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/120824.html
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