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"Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime." – Martin Luther King Jr.

At this special time of year, we have books to inspire and delight you. Accompany your little ones 'On the Road to Emmaus' or through 'Via Lucis: The Way of the Light'. Or perhaps, reflect with Fr Michael on the Gospel resurrection narratives in 'Alive'.

Second Sunday of Advent - Sunday Reflection

Second Sunday of Advent - Sunday Reflection

Posted: Sat, 4 Dec 2021 14:30

Second Sunday of Advent - Sunday Reflection

A favourite title to honour Jesus is as the 'Prince of Peace', and today we light our second Advent candle praying for the gift of peace. While we do not live in a war-torn land here in Britain, we have been all too aware of the threat of terrorism—we have seen lives destroyed and lost due to ideology and bombs, very often masked by some religious cause. However, we have shared in a global pandemic that has ruined our sense of peace and wellbeing. Even, as we crawl to a normality that we crave, there is still a nervousness and fear: what if yet another variant or strain manifests itself?

Today, Luke introduces us to the prophet, John the Baptist. He is the one to prepare for the Messiah's great message of peace. The evangelist places him firmly in a historical context that can be verified—he points to the reality and strength of the Incarnation that we are preparing for:

It was the fifteenth year of the rule of Emperor Tiberius; Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip was ruler of the territory of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias was ruler of Abilene, and Annas and Caiaphas were High Priests' (Luke 3:1-2).

It is John the Baptist who is the one tasked to get the people ready for the message of Jesus. Notice that he goes into the desert and invites others to join him there. All through scripture, the desert was the place of cleansing and a true encounter with God—we only have to think of Moses and the Chosen People being formed in the Sinai. Advent is our metaphorical desert, and our chance to meet a God who cares and offers unconditional love. In this Advent desert we are invited to strip ourselves of all attachments that are not essential—this is NOT a time of fasting, but a time of encounter and real searching for goodness. John wants to put the prophecy of Baruch into practice, as we heard in the first reading. Paradoxically, in the harshness and emptiness of the desert, we can find that easy path to God

'God has commanded that every high mountain and the everlasting hills shall be made low; he has commanded that the valleys shall be filled and the ground leveled, so that the people of Israel may come safely home in the glory of God' (Baruch 5:7).

Incarnation and the gift of Christmas offers us all that chance 'to come safely home.' John invites us to walk along that straight path and to pray with Paul in his Letter to the Philippians:

'I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment, so that you will be able to choose what is best' (Phil 1:9-10).

As we move through this Advent desert, we have the opportunity to grow and meet a Saviour who does not want to put obstacles in our way. How often have we seen the Church put followers of Christ through hoops in order to follow the Lord? No, you cannot have your child baptised! We do not approve of your sexuality! Your politics means that you cannot receive Communion! Our task, as followers of Christ, is to continue 'Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel' (Lk 3:4). Do any of us have the right to limit the love of God? Throughout the gospels we meet Jesus confronting the scribes and Pharisees on this very issue.

The reality is, of course, that we do not live in a world of straight highways and no obstacles. It would be wonderful to go through life without issues or problems; these last twenty-two months have made that all too obvious. These pandemic times and any trauma that we suffer do not make us weak and useless, they actually make us stronger. Like many of you, I have discovered the Lord of Peace especially in those dark and difficult times. Like you, I was forced to face God in the mess of life—mistakes and mess that I all too often have contributed to. In our personal brokenness and pain, not only do we find that straight road, but we also help others to join us. Our imperfections are part of who we are, and we have a God who only wants the very best for each of us—even in this Advent desert of 2021, we can find hope and peace. It is those situations of challenge and imperfection that we discover our need for God and the support of others. We all know those who cannot or will not display weakness; their narcissism will not allow them to admit who they are, instead they love to point the finger of blame at others. They will proclaim the imperfections of others quite easily, while walking along their lonely path. A way to true peace is to, honestly, face up to issues in our lives—that is how we can conquer the fear of COVID-19. As you walk your Advent Camino this week, enjoy your desert experience, enjoy the straight roads, but never fear those obstacles that we will, inevitably, find this week too. The great singer, Leonard Cohen writes in his 'song, Anthem':

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in.

Written by Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Photo by Tim de Groot on Unsplash

Tags: Advent, Homepage, Sunday Reflection