REFLECTION FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C
By Rev. Fr. Sylvanus Ifeanyi Amaobi
(1st Reading, Baruch 5:1-9; 2nd Reading, Phil. 1:4-6,8-11; Gospel, Lk. 3:1-6)
Dear brothers and sisters, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).
GOD'S MESSAGE OF HOPE
The prophecy of Baruch was imperative to the people of Israel as read in today's first reading (Baruch 5:1-9), "Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever." Historically, the prophecy of Baruch came after the Babylonian invasion of Israel and the destruction of Jerusalem, called Babylonian captivity. The Israelites were disillusioned and devastated as many of their inhabitants were taken captive, exiled, or killed. Against this backdrop, this proclamation from the Prophet became one of joy and great news. It became a message and proclamation of hope to people who were seemingly hopeless, devastated, and ravaged by persecution. This joy is echoed by the Psalmist (Psalm 126) in today's Responsorial Psalm: "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy."
Like the Israelites of old, God is proclaiming the same message of joy and hope to us. He is telling us to take off our garments of sorrow, mourning, misery, affliction, and so on. God is our salvation (Is. 12:2). He will not fail us (Deut. 31:6,8) but must surely save us, His people. However, to be able to attain salvation and return to their homeland from their land of exile, the Children of God must walk on level land. Hence, Prophet Baruch continued in his proclamation, "For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God."
MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY/PATH OF THE LORD
The Gospel today (Lk. 3:1-6) also uses the allegorical terms of making low the mountains and hills and filling every valley so that the way or the path of the Lord be straight. These mountains, hills, and valleys are obstacles to our spiritual life. It is important to note that for the saving power of God to flow, every obstacle or hindrance must be removed, and for the Israelites to return secure from the land of their exile, they must walk on a level ground unhindered. This is a divine injunction.
In our situation as individuals preparing for the coming of the Lord, the mountains and hills of our lives, such as pride, arrogance, stubbornness, cheating, stealing, drunkenness, adultery, deception, and wickedness, shall be lowered. We should also fill the valleys of impatience, unforgiveness, immodesty, selfishness, unkindness, greed, and every kind of iniquity. These vices hinder the incredible action of God in our lives.
In conclusion, we should listen to the exhortation from St. Paul in the second reading (Phil 1:4-6.8-11): discern what is of value (in your lives) so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Jesus Christ. This discernment of values calls for introspection and examination of conscience that leads to metanoia, which, in effect, is what "making the path of the Lord straight" means.
Always remember that Jesus loves you!