A Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent

Readings:

This Advent, like all too many before, finds places in our world at war or threatening war, bitter divisions within and among nations about immigration and how and whether to assist displaced peoples, political turmoil and strife, an increasingly threatened climate, growing divisions between the “haves” and “have nots”, and more.  In such a world, how do we keep hope alive?

 Luke’s gospel for this second Sunday in Advent begins with a listing of the civic and religious leaders in power when John the Baptist was preaching a baptism of repentance: Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Annas, and Caiphas, perhaps the most notable.  We know the violence and destruction wrought by the actions of these men.  You can probably name contemporary counterparts.   Yet the gospel reminds us that this was the very world in which John the Baptist persisted in preaching his message of repentance and into which Jesus was incarnated and ministered - a world not so different from our own in many ways.  If the Prophet Baruch’s promise of a world where every valley is filled, winding roads made straight and rough ways made smooth seems distant, if not impossible, it’s hardly surprising.

Paul's message to the Philippians is helpful.  Paul tells the Philippians that he “longs for (them) with the affection of Christ Jesus”, and urges them to “discern what is of value”.  

Could this be our own call in response to the brokenness in our world?  To love others the way Jesus loved?  To be a healing presence, to be merciful, to be generous with our time and our possessions, to lift up the poor and the powerless, to live in right relationship with others?  We might discern what to let go of in these troubled times, like cynicism, despair, or the temptation to just look out for ourselves.  We ourselves can be a prophetic voice, particularly on behalf of the most vulnerable among us, who cry out for compassion, mercy and justice.