Readings - http://www.usccb.org/nab/120510.shtml
We find ourselves at the 2nd Sunday of Advent a Season in which (1) we remember the people of Israel’s waiting for the Messiah, (2) we prepare for the annual celebration of Christmas in which we remember Jesus’ first coming into the world as the one we believe to have been the Messiah, and (3) we remember the promise that Jesus will come to us at the end of our lives and at the end of the world.
During this time, we also remember two important persons who came into this world in the period just preceding the coming of Jesus. That is, we remember John the Baptist and Mary. The Gospel Reading this Sunday and the next will invoke John the Baptist. And the Gospel Reading on the 4th Sunday of Advent always refers in some way to Mary. Additionally, during this week, we will be celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, and in our parish we are in the midst of celebrating the Novena to Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe. So there’s little doubt that these two figures play an important role in this season of preparation called Advent.
Very good...
This Sunday, the Gospel Reading focuses on John the Baptist. And John the Baptist is presented as a tough guy. He lives out in the desert, he wears a shirt of camel-hair, and he eats locusts and wild honey for food. His preaching is also tough. He demands repentance. He has no patience for complacency, half measures or hypocrisy. He’s even tough on himself, noting that the one to succeed him is so much greater than he that he woudn’t be worthy to even untie his (successor’s) sandal straps.
This image of John the Baptist screaming out in the Desert “make way for the Lord,” may in fact be somewhat disturbing at a time like Advent, which in our country today we consider to be warmest and fuzziest Season of the year. Jingle bells are ringing, all sorts of people are dressing up as Santa Claus or little green elves and we're told that the message of the season is kindness toward others, etc, etc.
Thus the image of John the Baptist out there in his camel hair shirt, feeding on locusts and reminding the good, religious folk of his time that “God could make children to Abraham out of the rocks (surrounding them)” DOES NOT quite fit the “smaltziness” of the American Christmas shopping season. BUT PERHAPS THAT IS GOOD.
Next week, we will hear a softer Gospel Reading. However, PERHAPS it’s worthwhile to linger in this week in the angrier, much more challenging image of John the Baptist as a spiritual Drill Sargent. Why? Because if we’re talking about preparation, then we ought to remember that in the traditional Christian sense, preparation meant sacrifice, challenge, meant really getting ready for the upcoming feast days, really challenging ourselves to become more of who God wants us to be.
Last week I noted that in the U.S., Advent comes at a time between the two most family oriented holidays of the year – Thanksgiving and Christmas. And PERHAPS it is a worthwhile challenge to see if as a result of this Season of preparation we can resolve some of the conflicts that may exist at home.
Yes these conflicts can be difficult. Yes resolution depends on the good will of all those concerned BUT WE CAN STILL DO OUR PART. And PERHAPS it is good to hear John’s challenge and warning: “The ax lies at the base of the tree. And all trees that do not give good fruit will be chopped down.”
We will, thankfully, hear something softer next week. However this week, perhaps it is worthwhile to linger with the challenge that John the Baptist gives and to see what we can do to truly prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord.
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