2nd Sunday of Advent (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

2nd Sunday of Advent (C), December 9, 2012

Liturgical readings


Baruch 5:1-9
Psalm 126
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Luke 3:1-6

"Make ready the way of the Lord."


St. John the Baptist is a strong character in the readings during the Advent season. His leadership is a prophetic service to his people - leading them to a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Entrusted by the Lord to prepare God's people for the coming of the Messiah, his baptism will take away their "robes of mourning and misery" - caused by many infidelities to Yahweh. So we see St. John in the gospel crying out in the Jordan river and calling the people to prepare for their salvation in God. This salvation will make them see once more that God's promises and His faithfulness are true: the Lord has, is, and will continue to do great things for them, and fill their hearts and their land with His mercy, justice and joy.


Repentance and amendment of life. These are very important themes to reflect upon during Advent; it helps to make our hearts ready for the Lord.  It can begin with the grace and healing received in Confession. When our sins have been taken away by the Lord in the Sacrament, it makes strong our life of charity in God's name: in every thought, word and deed. The law of Christ is not only something external to us, but is engraved much more deeply within our heart and soul. We learn in the Spirit and in the Church that only Jesus can save us, and that our hopes find its true fulfillment in Him. God saves, but we also have to do our part in working for our salvation, as well as that of our neighbor's, through the grace of perseverance and fortitude we receive from Him.


To repent and amend our life needs a little more work. We have to take it to heart and to daily practice. It is especially in these times when the family is beset by so much uncertainty and moral degeneration, that Christ's call becomes stronger: calling every family to renew their commitment to work for His kingdom. The Lord's prophetic call at the beginning of His public life echoes also during Advent: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel." It only takes humble and contrite hearts to make that first steps needed to renew our resolutions and make ready the way of the Lord. Once we resolve to a renewal of hearts and minds to God, Jesus will be with us despite all the uncertainty and adversity we experience around us. He is our Emmanuel; He will continue to be with us for all time.

Points for reflection: How can we see adversity as the source of our salvation in Christ? How can we see our faults and weaknesses as entry points for the redeeming grace of Jesus?