December 5, 2021
Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)
During this season of Advent, a time of announcements and preparation, it would seem very fitting that our readings today hold special announcements for the people of Israel at different times during their history. The First Reading (Baruch 5:1-9) is from Baruch, the scribe who recorded many of the words of the prophet Jeremiah and the Gospel (Luke 3:1-6) is a pronouncement of good news from John the Baptist heralding the arrival of the Messiah.
In the First Reading Baruch writes a poem of consolation to the Israelites who are being held in exile in Babylon. He tells them to put aside their mourning and misery because God will send justice their way. Those who had been led away on foot by their enemies will be brought back carried high on royal thrones. The valleys made low will be filled to level ground and the forests will overshadow Israel with every kind of fragrant tree at God’s command. “For God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with the mercy and justice that are his.”
In the Gospel, Luke situates his writing during the time of the Roman occupation of Israel. “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene. During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas.” (Lk. 3:1-2a)
Just like the time of Baruch, the people of Israel are not free as a nation to live and worship as in the days of their ancestors. Many of their laws and movements are regulated by the despots of Rome and the Jewish leaders who answer to them. But once again they are receiving a message which heralds good news. John the Baptist, son of Zechariah, like Baruch, is announcing an approaching reprieve similar to that of the First Reading. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain shall be made low. “The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth.” (Lk. 3:5).
What do these symbols mean as we celebrate Advent? Basically, they bring to mind a journey that many of us may be making on our way home for Christmas. We spend our days and hours with preparations – shopping, decorating, baking, and sending out cards. Sometimes we get so flustered and busy we forget the reason for the season and what we are celebrating.
It is a time to remember loved ones that we miss throughout the year. Often this is because there is a great distance which divides us and a good many hours that it takes to travel to one another. So, what better way to accommodate our travels than to flatten the valleys and mountains, level the forests, make the winding roads straight, and smoothe the rough ways.
All of this to make our journeys lighter and faster. This is the blessing that Jesus brings on Christmas morning. Whatever the obstacles we face that block our way to our loved ones become unencumbered by the Lord. Just like the time of Baruch and his people in exile and John the Baptist and his people held captive by Rome.
“As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” (Lk. 3:4,6).
