HOMILIES

Dear Audience,
For better understanding of the spiritual message behind this homily I kindly remind you to first read and contemplate the biblical texts before reading or listening to my preaching - a human reflection on the Word of God!

Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)

Dec 8, 2024

723

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First Reading

A reading from the Book of Prophet Baruch (5:1-9)

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your heard the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God's worship.

Up, Jerusalem! Stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God. Led away on foot by their enemies they left you: but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones. For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God. The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God's command; for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms of David (126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6)

(R) The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. (R)

Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord had done great things for us; we are glad indeed. (R)

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. (R)

Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. (R)

Second Reading

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (1:4-6, 8-11)

Brothers and sisters: I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. 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. God is my witness, how I long for all of your with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to 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. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

(P) The Gospel of the Lord.
(R) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

Six hundred years before Christ, Prophet Baruch proclaimed a message of comfort, exhortation, and hope to the inhabitants of Jerusalem who had survived the Babylonian assault and were mourning in grief for their fellow Israelites in exile. Today's first reading is a part of the prophet's message, Baruch (5:1-9). He urged the people to "remove the garments of mourning and misery, and wrap themselves with the cloak of justice from God," (vv.1-2). In other words, he wanted the people to leave their past sins, resentments, regrets, grudges, anger, distress, hurt, and opposition to God behind and instead accept God's faithfulness in forgiving their sins and giving a new life, displaying His beauty. He assures them that God would let every nation on earth to see their splendour and give them a name, "righteous peace, Godly glory," (vv.3-4), signifying their redeemed status and new level of intimacy and relationship with Him.

The prophet then invited them to go joyfully to high places to watch the return of the exiles from all directions and know that God had not forgotten them. Rather, God was with them at all times, even when they were suffering and oppressed. The prophet further envisaged that while they were led away on foot by their enemies to exile, they would be brought back to their land like a triumphant ruler, (vv.5-6). Moreover, the prophet pointed out the reason for such a contrast and reversal of their situation. He said that God would flatten the high mountains and fill the valleys which stood between them and the return to their homeland so that "Israel may walk safely in the glory of God," (Baruch 5:7).

The Bible often uses the imagery of high mountains and valleys to describe God's power, the high moments of success in life, and obstacles such as, pride, arrogance, self-exaltation, opposition to God, pagan worship, and other sins that stand in our way. So, the prophet told them that God would clear the obstacles or the problems, both big and small, physical, emotional and spiritual, from their path, so that they would be able to return to their land with ease and peace of mind, (v.7). In addition, the prophet told them that "the forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God's command," (v.8). In the Bible, forests and trees are often used as symbols of life, strength, and prosperity. So, by reiterating the grand image from earlier prophets of Israel, Baruch assured the people that just as He had done in the past, God would protect the exiles during their return. And finally, the prophet concluded his words of hope and encouragement to the people with a promise that God would lead them with His "mercy and justice," (v.9). Thus, the prophet spoke of a God who had not forgotten the exiled people, but of a God who would bring them back safely and securely to their glorious homeland and city, Jerusalem.

What is the message for us?

Even if we are not exiles in the more conventional sense of the word or like the ancient Israelites, captive and oppressed, all of us, at some point in our lives, may find ourselves in exile physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Millions of people around the world are forced into exile due to persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations. A poet once said, "Exile is more than a geographical concept. You can be in exile in your homeland, in your own house, in a room." Yes, indeed. There are times we may feel like we are in exile, too, even within our own homes. Sometimes we may be estranged from our parents or siblings even though we live under the same roof. Sometimes we may feel trapped and stuck in life and are unable to deal with some issues or rebuild our lives after a tragedy or disaster. There are situations that may make us feel hopeless, like the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, financial stress, or the end of a relationship. There are occasions when we may feel like having lost sight of the love of God and others. And there are moments we may feel that we are drifting away from God or giving up on God because of our own guilt and condemnation. Such feelings of exile or displacement or disconnection from our families, friends, and other important people in our lives and God, can leave us feeling lonely and isolated, anxious and depressed, hurt and angry, abandoned and forsaken.
But, as God's people, what we must remember in these times is that God is not the One we should run away from. Rather, He is the One we ought to run to. For God does not leave us alone in hard times, nor does He leave us without hope. He does not forget us even during times of great disappointment and sadness. He is never far from us. He is near to us in our suffering. St Paul says, "Nothing can separate us from God's love," Romans (8:38-39).
It is hard in the midst of difficulties and struggles, to believe God is doing anything at all. But prophet Baruch reminds us that our God of mercy and justice will not leave us desolate and in exile forever. Rather, He will clear away all the obstacles in our way and lead us through the challenges and hardships so that we will not only live in His peace, joy and confidence, but also will stand as His witnesses for His mercy and righteousness at all times and in all things, and in all places.

Let us, therefore, first of all, stop mourning for the past and prepare to celebrate the future. Secondly, let us put aside our sorrow, sadness, hurt, distress, anger, hatred, arrogance, pride, and all shrouds of sin, and put on God's kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness, patience, faith, hope, and love as we await the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, His return at the end of our lives and at the end of the world, as well as His coming into our lives every day. Thirdly, let us pray for those who are going through dark moments at the present time, for those who are struggling with self-doubt and insecurities, and for those who are feeling lonely, unloved, abandoned, and rejected that they may overcome every obstacle and walk in God's strength daily.

(P) Amen.

God Bless You!

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