No. 5 Second Sunday of Advent
Luke 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. (Luke 3:1-2)Why all the names? (Honestly, isn't it hard not to "tune out" at the beginning of this week's gospel reading?)
Who are all these people? Emperors, governors, local rulers, high priests: these are the political power brokers of Jesus' day. Authority, domination and military might usher in the opening scene of this Sunday's gospel. Could this be a deliberate act on the part of Luke to provide a striking contrast to what will follow?
The word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
(Luke 3:2-3)
In the starkness of the wilderness, a WORD will come forth to silence the raging powers. Is this not the Word that will bring forth an even mightier kingdom? Is this not the “all-powerful Word that leaps down in the stillness of the night” as the author of the biblical Book of Wisdom tells us? Such a powerful contrast to Rome and its mighty earthly rulers!
Ponder this amazing scene: a humble, gentle Word (Jesus, the Incarnate Christ) will break through to bring forth a new age and a new kingdom. It will be a kingdom not of domination and injustice, but one of salvation when all things will be made new.Advent Prayer
May the Word who is Christ enter our hearts
in quiet and gentle ways;
May the Holy Spirit help us to appreciate more fully
the gift of salvation;
May we celebrate our own “baptism of repentance”
by turning (or returning) to God during this season.
May all our thoughts, words and actions
help to prepare the way of the Lord.
Every time we open the Bible our hearts should tremble.
