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!”