December 7, 2014

2^nd Sunday of Advent B

Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8
What is our God like? He created each for heaven. He gifts each to work on getting themselves and others into heaven. With our preparations for Christmas beginning to pile up what is the message God wants deeply implanted in each of us? It seems to me these are the questions that are answered today and they come with a powerful directive.
The words that Isaiah uses today show us some of the most poetic and evocative images of God’s compassion. I spent time and reflect on them as in imagine our loving God filling Isaiah with these words which tell me what God is like. “Give comfort to my people”… tells me that right now, even though I feel fine, God is surrounding me with His presence and love. I do not have to do anything to receive it, just be open and receptive. There is never an activity that God’s comfort would not be welcomed and more so when I am feeling down or lost for whatever reason. God is active and giving and I am His; that’s the meaning of ‘MY people’. “Prepare the way of the Lord”…I am not a passive agent, I have a role. It is very complimentary not only that I have been called but that there is something for me to do; this implies trust and that is affirmative. “Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together.” There is no fear attached to this and it is a very comforting event to wait for the revelation of the God’s glory.
Now the powerful directive comes: “Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; cry out at the top of your voice…” The height of the mountain signifies that this message is huge and is for all. I can personalize it because I am the one, as each person is, to be the conveyer, the proclaimer of the message. What is the message: “Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord God, who rules by his strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him.” There is no confusion, I am to spell out who God is and what God wants. His message is for all and it is what Jesus proclaimed as the ‘Good News’: God is love and God loves each person all of the time. Isaiah continues telling us what God is like by using an example known to all: “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.” The words are so tender and caring: ‘he feeds his flock in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care. God is showing all that not only is the message to be shouted out but that He is caring for each person in all of their idiosyncrasies’ and worries and fears and enabling them to be His messengers.
Psalm 85 continues the directive conveying the message with the prayer: “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.” What do I need when I am on a mission, kindness and trust? God is giving these and more.
Peter continues the qualities of God and the details of the mission when he says, “The Lord does not delay his promise, but he is patient with you…” How important it is to be patient, so very often I am impatient with myself and as a result I do too much ‘rushing’. And Peter continues that the Lord wishes that I and all “should come to repentance. “ How important it is that I see that it is all about God’s plan and not mine. So often I become so absorbed with myself that I do not even realize that ‘others’ occupy my universe—I want what I want. I need to come to the Lord in humility and ask for His grace. Peter continues how I should be acting “conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion…Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.” At peace…how important that is…no matter what happens to disturb or distract my living this message, I am to realize that it is all about the Lord and be at peace with that and the Spirit will continue to fill me with God’s peace.
With Christmas coming, the Gospel sets the stage by giving the opening verses of Mark’s Gospel. It is often overlooked but look how Mark introduces this: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” Only the emperor was called the son of God. But Mark is also referring to the prophecies of ancient Israel. The message is clear: a mightier one is coming who will baptize in the Holy Spirit. The time for the fulfilling of God’s plan for the world has arrived. God has chosen me and each person to be part of that plan. My part was to be born at this time, in this culture with these parents and people surrounding me to touch me and influence me in realizing the gifts of God to me. Now the plan comes: I am to use these gifts to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord. Am I doing that? John the Baptist is presented in today’s gospel as a model of one who boldly cries out to proclaim the coming of God. Again, am I doing that?
A wonderful book is the Apostolic Exhortation from Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel. Pope Francis gives a powerful message about each person’s role. In Article #127 entitled Person to Person he says, “Today, as the Church seeks to experience a profound missionary renewal, there is a kind of preaching which falls to each of us as a daily responsibility. It has to do with bringing the Gospel to the people we meet, whether they be our neighbors or complete strangers. This is the informal preaching which takes place in the middle of a conversation, something along the lines of what a missionary does when visiting a home. Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey.

In this preaching, which is always respectful and gentle, the first step is personal dialogue, when the other person speaks and shares his or her joys, hopes and concerns for loved ones, or so many other heartfelt needs. Only afterward is it possible to bring up God’s word, perhaps by reading a Bible verse or relating a story, but always keeping in mind the fundamental message: the personal love of God who became man, who gave himself up for us, who is living and who offers us his salvation and his friendship. This message has to be shared humbly as a testimony on the part of one who is always willing to learn, in the awareness that he message is so rich and so deep that it always exceeds our grasp. At times the message can be presented directly, at times by way of a personal witness or gesture, or in a way which the Holy Spirit may suggest in that particular situation. If it seems prudent and if the circumstances are right, this fraternal and missionary encounter could end with a brief prayer related to the concerns which the person may have expressed. In this way they will have an experience of being listened to and understood; they will know that their particular situation has been placed before God, and that God’s word really speaks to their lives.”

This is certainly a challenge but it is my responsibility and each follower of Jesus.
I reflect on what Sacred Space 2015 says:

“I mingle with the crowds listening to John the baptizer. I know he suffered a violent death. Where is the ‘good news’ in that?

The good news is that he plays his part in the plan of salvation and bears steady witness to the light. In the wilderness of my life, I ask that I may always witness to light and truth and love.”