2nd Sunday of Advent, Dec. 9, 2012

For us Christians, preparing the way of the Lord means getting busy about the Lord’s work! 

The book of Malachi, from which we get our first reading today, was written generations after the people returned to Israel from their captivity in Babylon (also called Persia).  It was King Cyrus who permitted the people of Israel to return to Palestine but Israel is still a Persian province.  People expected that their fidelity to God would be rewarded by (material) prosperity, but life has continued to be hard, so after several decades, they have lapsed into waywardness.  It is the ungodly who prosper.  In the old days, the Israelite King was God’s agent, but now (there being no king), the priests have assumed this role.  Now the prophet speaks of God sending a messenger who will prepare the way for God to return to the Temple, stop the abuses which have been going on and restore the people to their freedom.

In our second reading Paul rejoices in the authentic faith of the Philippians.  He prays that they may be overflowing in Christian knowledge and discernment so that they may be pure and blameless on the final day.  The tone of joyful prayer is a pervasive quality of the whole letter.  Paul further expresses his confidence that God will finish what God has begun among them. 

In our gospel story John the Baptist begins his ministry (that is) his role in God’s plan.  He announces the time of redemption is at hand.  As did classical Greek authors, Luke places John’s ministry in the context of famous rulers, here both secular and religious.  This gives us a rather precise date for Jesus’ life and the beginning of his ministry, i.e. 26-29 A. D.  The Greek translated “the word of God came” is the same as in Jeremiah.  Luke sees John as continuing the role of the prophets; announcing judgment at the end of the era and a new relationship with God, available to all. 

As we look at John’s proclamation that the Kingdom is at hand, we must also look at what it means for us 21^st century Christians to “prepare the way of the Lord.”  Like John (and the Philippians Paul is so proud of) it means that we must step up to the role God has called us to fulfill.  In general terms it’s easy to talk about:

●     Feed the hungry

●     Cloth the naked

●     Teach the uneducated

●     Visit the sick

On a more personal level it’s about each of us taking the time to listen to God’s voice in our lives.  Putting aside time to get involved and try out various ministries.  Each of us will eventually find that right fit which uses our talents in a way that we can feel good about.  In this way we can make a contribution of our time and talents to the Kingdom of God!  In this way, we truly “prepare the way of the Lord!”

1st Sunday of Advent, Dec. 2, 2012

My brothers & sisters, redemption is here and available in Christ.

Our first lesson from Jeremiah comes from the time when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians in 586 BC.  In bad times, the prophet told of God’s love for his people.  Today’s passage was edited and written centuries later.  We hear that it is a certainty that a time will come when God will complete His promises.  This is contained in the symbolism of God restoring both the people of Israel and the lineage of David. 

I our second reading, Paul expresses his gratitude for the Thessalonians and looks forward to seeing them again.  When he was in Thessalonica, he had predicted that some Christians there would be persecuted.  This has now happened; he has sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage them for the sake of their faith, so no one would be shaken by these persecutions.  Timothy has now returned to Paul in Athens, and has conveyed to him that the Thessalonians are strong.  Indeed, their faith has encouraged Paul in facing persecution himself. 

Paul in turn prays for them:

•  that he may visit them again

•  that they may have a superabundance of love for their fellow Christians and for all;

•  that their very beings (hearts) may become so God-like (so holy) that they may be totally free of sin when Christ comes again. 

In our reading from Luke, we again see Jesus predicting his second coming.  The end will be delayed: the killing and deportation of citizens will continue “until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled,” i.e., until non-Jews have had the opportunity to come to Christ.  In spite of the delay, the era will end before all those alive now have died.  It was pretty much universal in the Apostles day for Christians to expect Jesus’ return during their lifetimes.  As that first generation began to pass away, Christian leaders realized that Jesus was not planning to return as soon as they hoped and began organizing themselves to preserve and pass on the faith for following generation like ourselves. 

Today we begin the season of Advent.  It is the season of preparation and anticipation of the anniversary of Christ’s coming into our world.  However it is not just for the retelling of that story.  More importantly, it is preparation for the return of the Messiah in glory.  There is an understanding amongst disciples of Jesus from the first century through to the present day; that the Messiah’s first appearance was to reopen the door for us to have individual relationships with our Creator. 

From our gospel today we are given a message that I believe many Christians miss.  “Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  Rather than take this to heart we generally fear Christ’s return.  Some of this is rooted in our natural fear of the unknown; some in the outrageous imagery of Revelations and the battle of Armageddon; some of it is sheer morbid fascination.  We have such a fascination that the movie industry makes huge “end of the world” productions.  An easy example is how much press space still is given to the prediction of the Mayan calendar that the world will end this month. . .

But the Gospel message is not strictly about things that one should fear.  It is also about triumph; the vindication of believers; the end of evil and suffering and finally, the restoration of our ideal relationship with our Creator.  Not exactly something to be frightened about.  Yes we do want to be ready, not caught in our personal sinfulness.  But that is not a frightening proposition either.  We have in Christ the maximum richness of forgiveness.  Let’s face it, our generation may be more technological than any before it, but we have not come up with any sins that Christ has not seen and heard before.  Let us not shy from seeking and enjoying His forgiveness.  Let us look forward to celebrating the anniversary of his first coming this Christmas and let us look forward to his return.  Doing our part as we are called and trusting Christ for all the things that are beyond us.