[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Luke 3:1-6

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2nd Sunday of Advent

“A voice of one crying out in the desert.” (Luke 3:4)

Tiberius. Pilate. Herod. Philip. Lysanias. Annas. Caiaphas. These men ruled the secular and religious worlds at the time of Christ. Mighty Rome, led by Tiberius Caesar, held Judea in its grip, and Pilate exercised Rome’s power there. Herod, Philip, and Lysanias governed, with Caesar’s blessing, the rest of the kingdom. Caiaphas was the reigning high priest, and Annas, though retired, still held great sway.

But then came a voice, just one voice in the desert, heralding the coming of One who is above all powers and principalities. One sin­gle voice! God didn’t have to send a host of angels to herald the coming of his Son, Jesus—although he did send one, as a grand display of his joy. A single voice, residing not in the halls of power but in the wilder­ness of the desert, was all he needed. And the people flocked to that voice!

Such is the authority of the word of God—a word spoken by the lone voice of the prophet John and his mighty successor, Jesus. Their voices proclaimed a foolishness that is wiser than human wisdom and a weakness that surpasses our strength.

Even today, God’s voice has the power to silence all the other voices in our lives. The devil may accuse us. Our own flesh may croon words of self-indulgence and self-pity. Even the world may offer us an unremitting barrage of “wisdom” and woe and invitations to the next best thing. But God’s voice can still them all.

What is that voice saying to you today? Listen for it. Pay attention to it and treasure it. Know that every time you hear that voice, Jesus is drawing you a little bit closer. His promises become more real to you, and his power becomes more believ­able. Turn to that voice. Absorb its words of love and encouragement and hope. Follow its gentle leading. This still, small voice has the power to silence all others!

“Father, I want to hear your voice today. Open my ears, so that I can hear you; open my heart, so that I can embrace you.”

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

Luke 3:1-6

 

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

1. In the first reading, we are encouraged to take off our “robe of mourning and misery”. What are the things in your life that weigh you down: Sinful habits? Family circumstances? Job situation? How do you believe God wants you to deal with these areas this Advent?

2. In the Responsorial Psalm, God promises that our sorrow will be turned into joy; and not just some temporary external “joy” but an inner joy. The psalmist goes on to say that our mouths will be “filled with laughter”. God wants you to experience his blessings and be filled with joy. Can you share a time when God’s actions brought a special joy into your life?

3. St. Paul’s beautiful prayer in the second reading speaks of his confidence that God will complete his “good work” in each of us (Philippians 1:6). Therefore, we ought not to be discouraged. Are you willing to make a commitment to pray this same prayer for certain family members and others during Advent? Why or why not? Advent is a special season of grace. Be expectant that God will answer these prayers.

4. Again St. Paul prays that our “love may increase even more” (Philippians (1:9). St. Alphonsus says that loving God is the greatest work we can do on earth, and since our ability to love God comes from God, we must ask him for the grace to love him. Have you ever asked God for that gift? How can your prayers during Advent allow your love to “increase even more,” especially for those you find hard to love?

5. In the Gospel, we are introduced to John the Baptist, whose words echo the prophecy from the first reading: mountains will be flattened and valleys filled in to make our path to him easier so we “shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6). During Advent, how can you be a witness to your family members and others so that they “shall see the salvation of God.”

6. In the meditation we hear these words: “Even today, God’s voice has the power to silence all the other voices in our lives. The devil may accuse us. Our own flesh may croon words of self-indulgence and self-pity. Even the world may offer us an unremitting barrage of “wisdom” and woe and invitations to the next best thing. But God’s voice can still them all.” What steps can you take during Advent to allow God’s words to you to deepen your faith and help you win the battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil?

7. Take some time now to pray that the Lord would open your heart and mind to hear more clearly his voice during this Advent Season. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

[Salvation]

A Christian Pilgrim

GOD ACTS EACH AND EVERY DAY

(A biblical refection on the SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT [Year C] – 9 December 2012) 

Gospel Reading: Luke 3:1-6 

First Reading: Bar 5:1-9; Psalms: Ps 126:1-6; Second Reading: Phil 1:4-6,8-11 

The Scripture Text

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and  his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness; and he went into all region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Lk 3:1-6 RSV) 

As he told the story of Jesus’ coming as a man, Luke took particular care to identify a specific point in history when these events unfolded. He noted who was in power, where they ruled, and when it all occurred. He also stated explicitly that the word of God came to one particular person – John – who preached a distinct message rooted in his people’s prophetic heritage.

By crafting his Gospel in this way, Luke emphasized a very important point: God speaks to His people, through His word, in the real world. He bridges the gap between heaven and earth, and as a result, lives are changed forever.

How easy it is to lose sight of the fact that God acts each and every day! Like the faithful Jewish believers of Jesus’ time, we may take scripture very seriously and still fail to recognize God when He reveals Himself. Hoping that God will act in the future, we look for the new heaven and new earth that will come at the end of time. But we should remember that the Jews – God’s own chose people – believed they too would recognize the Messiah, yet most did not. Even we Christians, by definition “believers in Christ,” can be skeptical when we hear of miraculous happenings throughout the world.

How can we recognize God’s action today? We can hold onto the things God has revealed already, and always remember that God wants to teach us even more with each new day. He is ever at work, advancing His plan toward its fulfillment. As it was in the days of John the Baptist, so it is in our day. Any work that brings down the mountains of sin and exalts the lowly and humble of heart is part of God’s plan to prepare His way. God loves us deeply; He is always seeking to bring us to Himself, smoothing out the “rough ways” in our hearts that keep us from advancing on the path to His love.

Short Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus, and “prepare the way” in us so that we can receive You more fully. Open our hearts to Your word, and show us, in specific, unmistakable ways, how You are at work today. Lord, show us Your salvation. Amen.