9 December 2018
Second Sunday of Advent
Today the Church offers us readings that help us to contemplate the great things which the Lord has done for us, both individually and collectively, both past and present. The first reading from the book of Baruch is a promise to Jerusalem that God will give her the splendor of his glory. He has commanded that mountains be made low and gorges be filled to level ground.
In the gospel we find the same message through the words and actions of St. John the Baptist at a very particular point in history, as the first verses specify. The splendor of God’s glory is at hand. Prepare. Make straight his paths. Fill every valley. Make low every mountain and hill. Christ, the splendor of the Father is coming.
Advent is a time for us to look back at the wonders the Father has done in sending us his only begotten son. It is also a time to look back with gratitude at the wonders the Father has done through Jesus in our own hearts. And though he has done great things, we know that the work of our God, who is ceaselessly working for us, is not finished. As St. Paul tells the Philippians: “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Let us live with a growing awareness of all that the Lord has done and is doing, living with hope for all that is yet to come. Christ, the splendor of the Father will come again.