Reflection by Deacon Matt

Reflection for Second Sunday of Advent: 

Baruch 5:1-9: This poetic passage offers effusive consolation and hope to the people of Zion, who still suffer under the Babylonian Captivity. The beginning image, of the people’s “changing garments,” immediately conjures a vivid “picture” or prophecy of remarkable change; from the people’s current sadness and mourning, in captivity, to a future state of joy and celebration, when they’ll be attired in celebratory garments and be full of joy and exultation. This passage promises that Israel will be freed; and that their disgrace before all the nations shall be replaced by exaltation and redemption. The contrast between the time of suffering and loss and the time of victory and salvation via God’s mercy and power is striking. Let’s take time this week to thank God for the many times that God has rescued us from “captivities of suffering” in our lives!

Psalm 126: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy!” Complementing our first reading is this celebratory psalm of rejoicing over the return to Israel after the Divine Rescue of God’s people from the Babylonian Exile and captivity. We can so easily imagine that it truly must have seemed “like a dream” to those alive at that time! In the second verse, the psalmist gives thanks that God has redeemed His people “in the sight of the nations.” While Israel had been publicly shamed and punished; now she is being publicly restored to glory and returned to “favored nation status”’ with God. A people who had been allowed to suffer the consequences of their sins are now being mercifully pardoned and comforted. Let this give us eternal trust in God’s intent to save us, and in God’s power to do so! When we sin, we can become enmeshed in evil, but God eternally desires our repentance and conversion, so that we come back to Him. Let’s repent and be saved!

Philippians: 1:4-6, 8-11: As we continue our themes of hope for delivery from our “captivities” in life; whether physical or spiritual, we receive this letter from Paul, during his imprisonment, that he writes to the Philippians. As we see, like the faithful Israelites in captivity and Paul, during his confinement, we too can embrace hope and trust in God, despite daunting challenges in our lives. Like St. Paul, despite present distressing circumstances, we can embrace a mindset of thanksgiving for our faith and for the communion we enjoy with other believers as we both rejoice and suffer, together… as one… in our faith! May we never give in to despair, but clothe ourselves in the hopeful faith and trust in God that have been provided for us to wear!

Luke 3:1-6:  This prophetic message of hope for deliverance from our sins starts with a list of unjust and oppressive rulers of that time. Despite these rulers’ oppression, we’re being given a message of hope for the imminent advent of the Messiah; our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who will eclipse all of these unjust rulers. The message is being given through a righteous man, (John the Baptist), the son of another upstanding servant of God, (Zechariah). Jesus’ Kingdom of mercy, love and redemption will outshine all the kingdoms of the earth, for all time! 
With the metaphors of valleys being filled in and hills being leveled, we’re being forewarned that Jesus’ Kingdom will change the social, political and religious order of things… but for the better! A more just, compassionate, merciful and loving Kingdom awaits us. With God’s guidance, in prayer, let’s start building it! 

Enthusiastically, 
Deacon Matt