“FIRST IMPRESSIONS”

2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT (C) DECEMBER 8,2024

Baruch 5: 1-9; Psalm 126; Philippians 1: 4-6, 8-11; Luke 3: 1-6

by Jude Siciliano, OP

Dear Preachers:

Let’s focus today on our first reading from the prophet Baruch. During these Advent Sundays we are hearing from four prophets: Jeremiah, Baruch, Zephaniah and Micah.

Baruch was the secretary to Jeremiah and probably wrote material in the Book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah spoke God’s word at a time when the southern kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem were about to be destroyed by the Babylonians, who then took its leading citizens and the able-bodied into exile. Thus, the words of Baruch were spoken to a defeated people living in exile, offering words of promise and hope. Today’s passage comes towards the end of Baruch and is a poem of consolation, anticipating freedom and a return from slavery. But the restoration and rebuilding of the nation never completely took place and the people remained dependent for protection on the surrounding superpowers. So, they hoped for full restoration and more – the coming of the promised messianic kingdom. In their dire straits they needed assurance from God and that’s what Baruch offered them.

As we move through Advent can we identify with the fragile community of Jews who were living in unsettling times and in a foreign and our lives? Our Advent promise of God’s salvation coming into our world, w land? Don’t we also long for the fullness of God’s salvation to come into the world as fulfilled in Jesus. But we also long for its fullness in our own lives now.

The reading is addressed to Jerusalem, but it can also be understood as a metaphor. Note how Jerusalem is presented as a grieving widow waiting for her children’s return from exile. No need to mourn any longer, “Jerusalem take off your robes of mourning and misery….” She is told to look towards the east to see her children returning.

There is more than an ocean of tears being shed again these days in Jerusalem, all of Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, throughout the Middle East, etc. Is Baruch’s word of hope being spoken today to the parts of the world that desperately need a promising word from God? In such dreadful times, with so many suffering on all sides of the conflict, Baruch is reminding an afflicted people that, despite the signs to the contrary, God has not deserted the suffering people.

Baruch originally spoke to the grieving in Jerusalem. But God notices the suffering of all people at all times and grieves with them. Baruch promises that God is coming to relieve the people and then they will have reason to wrap themselves in “the cloak of justice from God.” God promised to set things right for the people of ancient Jerusalem and we must also ask, “How about us? How long must we wait?”

The prophet assured the desperate and waiting people (and us) that God was not inactive, but was preparing a safe smooth road for the returnees. They will have little strength on their own, so God was smoothing the way for them. “For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.

It is very hard in the midst of world upheaval and our own personal struggles, to believe God is doing anything at all. What is God doing to stop the war in Gaza? Resolve the conflict in Ukraine? Heal the burns and battle-scarred civilians in the hospitals of the conflict zones? Here is a question I ask when I prepare, or hear a homily: “So what? What difference will these words make at this time to those who hear them?”

What does Baruch have to say to us in the midst of desolation? The world mourns and shares the pain of so many innocents. The prophet speaks God’s promise: God will act to restore the people. Do we not see it? What part must I play in restoring and healing the lives of those who share my world? Can I trust that the God of mercy Baruch presents to us, will not leave people desolate and in exile?

Baruch’s vision invokes hope in me and in those around me gathered in prayer this Advent? The reading stirs a prayer in me: “Loving God, though it sometimes feels it, I know you have not left us on our own. I believe and I await your coming anew this Advent. Hurry God, do not delay.”

We have an Advent choice. We can stay mired in the world’s evils and pain, or we can turn to God in trust and hope. God offers us grace so we can work together for the cause of peace and justice envisioned for us in our Advent prophets. This work can be immediate and right at our fingertips. We can rely on God to help us put off the shrouds of sin, injustice and hatred and be clothed in God’s rich cloak of assured-courage and blessings.

Today’s Baruch text has echoes of the consoling words of Isaiah’s “Book of Comfort” (Is 40-55), written for the exiles in Babylon. Like Isaiah, Baruch was looking for God to do a repeat Exodus and free the people from another tyrant, Anthiochus Epyphanes IV. Baruch is awake and watchful for God, which is what we are doing this Advent.

God fulfilled the promise made through Baruch in the appearance of Jesus. Fueled by the hope of Christ’s return we can follow Baruch’s directives and put off our “cloak of mourning and misery.”

Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120824.cfm