Reflection for Second Sunday of Advent
First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2A, 10-11
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28
We heard the words from Isaiah the prophet in today’s first reading: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly.” Who does this refer too?
You are probably thinking, that’s easy…I know this refers to Jesus…because Jesus quoted that passage in the gospel and told his audience that “today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”.
Do you believe that this also refers to each one of us? The same spirit of the Lord God is upon each one of us, which we received at Baptism and again at Confirmation.
Who are the lowly? the poor? Those not necessarily having little or no money, but those who don’t know Jesus Christ!
This is our invitation today, a personal invitation from Jesus…to become an Advent people. Today’s readings invite us to find Christ in our own lives, so that we can help others find Christ. Just as John the Baptist led people out of darkness to find the light, Jesus Christ…we must do too.
John the Baptist went into the desert to ponder God’s Word. He came forth from the desert to be the herald for the coming of the Messiah, saying: “I am a voice of one crying out in the desert. Make straight the way of Lord!” Advent is going into the desert, like John the Baptist – not literally, but pulling away from the world, from the day to day hustle and bustle of preparing for Christmas to ponder God’s Word – his promises. Then we can proclaim Jesus Christ. How? We start in our own homes, to our own families…by praying together, talking about our faith etc. Our proclamation is with our life – how we live… We rejoice today (Gaudete Sunday) as the color of the vestments signal to us…we rejoice at the presence of Jesus Christ in our midst now. Let us share his presence with other.
May God bless us all always!
Deacon Mike