2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C)

1st Reading            Baruch 5: 1-9

Psalm                       126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 (R. cf. 3)

R:// "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy"

2nd Reading          Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11

Gospel                     Luke 3:1-6

REMOVE THE OBSTACLES TO PEACE

Beloved, I welcome you to the 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year C) and the 2nd Sunday of December. On this Sunday, we shall light the Second Advent Candle, the Candle of Peace. Peace is a whole big term whose dimensions are limitless. If there is anything we can say about it for now, then it should be that ability to enjoy one's true identity aided by God's Grace. There are life's occurrences that rob us of this. What shall we do to restore that Peace that we have been robbed of? Our Peace consists also in our status, influence, and knowing the obstacles that rob us of God's Peace. 

The first reading is from Baruch 5: 1-9. This is one of the Deuterocanonical books found in the Catholic listing of biblical books and other lists. Why consider such a book for the 2nd Sunday of Advent? Well, I want to suggest two reasons. Baruch is considered secretary to Jeremiah, and Last Sunday, on the 1st Sunday of Advent, we read from Jeremiah. Perhaps, we should be focusing on a line of thought and writing. Secondly, Baruch, like Jeremiah, witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the consequent exile into Babylon. This is attested to by his reference to the infamous Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar, and the mention of the "Chaldeans" (Bar. 1: 2). The Babylonians are the same as the Chaldeans. Additionally, the whole book is filled with incidents in Babylonian, the exile, and the return from exile. 

Today, reading from chapter 5, we immediately hear the name, Jerusalem. In Hebrew, Jerusalem is יְרוּשָׁלַיִם (Yerushala'im). We could see the name SHALOM (שָׁלוֹם) in it. Shalom means Peace. Jerusalem means "City of Peace". Now that Jerusalem has been destroyed and the inhabitants have been exiled, it only means that our "Peace" has been robbed and destroyed. That is our condition. There is no Peace. Therefore, we light the candle of Peace to tell us that "Peace" is returning. 

The first reading starts with using words akin to the activity of dressing, or if you like, change of clothes. We hear, "take off" and "put on". "Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on forever the splendour of glory from God" (v. 1). We are talking about clothing because the text mentions "robe". The Greek word translated as "robe" is "στολήν" (stolēn). This is the outer garment, which is visible — everyone can see it. The clothing, the robe, tells of a person's status. Remember that Joseph's status is closely associated with his clothing. His status as a father's favourite is symbolised by a tunic (Gen. 37:3-4). Pharaoh changed Joseph's status from a slave to a royal bestowing upon him a fine linen robe (Gen. 41: 39-42). In fact, the long naked Gerasene demoniac was found fully clothed after being healed by Jesus (Lk. 8: 26-39), and the repentant son in the Parable of the Prodigal is clothed with his father's finest robe (Lk. 15: 11-32). Do not also forget that Adam and Ewe sewed fig leaves and made loincloth for themselves after the sin (Gen. 3: 7). 

The implication is that Jerusalem is to change her status. She shall no more be associated with the status of one who is mourning and in misery as a result of a loss. The Glory from God shall be given to her. The first thing we lost and robbed us of our Peace which put us in our individual and collective exile is our Status. God says the light is on for the restoration of our Status. 

The second thing, constitutive of Peace, that we lost is Family. This is defined by those around us. When the Jew thinks of Shalom (Peace), he thinks of Family, the enjoyment of human bonds. He thinks of Community (Psalm 128:3-4). As a result of the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile, inhabitants of Jerusalem have scattered to unknown places. Baruch consoles the exiles that not only shall the status of Jerusalem be restored, but she shall also witness the return and gathering of her children from East and West. Jerusalem is told to "look to the East" (v. 5). The East is where the Sun rises from. The image of the Sun is an image of light. In the present situation of exile, of darkness, the light shall be seen. Interestingly, these ones who were carried into exile were taken away on foot by their enemies. However, they shall be "carried high in glory as on royal thrones" (v. 6). That is the image of a king. Israel is described as a kingly, priestly, and royal people. The family shall return in a royal fashion. The second aspect of our Peace is the restoration of our Family and Community bonds in such a way that they return with the initial status of the royal people. 

Finally, the "taking off" could be met with certain obstacles. These could also hinder a smooth return and restoration. These are the very things John the Baptist points to us in the Gospel passage from Luke 3: 1-6, quoting from Isaiah 3: 4-6. We find a parallel in our first reading today (Bar. 5: 1-9). 

In ancient times, when a king or royal figure was traveling to a city in the Kingdom, it was expected that the roads be put into good repair for his arrival. These are royals traveling back home. God has restored the Peace, but it is left to the human factor to make manifest that Peace. 

High mountains are often associated with arrogance and opposition to God (Jer. 51: 24-25) because of its association with pagan worship (Hosea 4: 13). Valleys also often are associated with sin (Isa. 57: 5; 2 Kings 23: 10).

Beloved, on the 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year C), God lights the Candle of Peace for us, reminding us that whatever aspect of Peace, of wholeness, (of Shalom) that we have lost and have been sent to exile consequently, has been restored, especially our status and our community life. However, we need also to work on removing those obstacles and challenges that will hinder a smooth return as a royal people. That is the preparation in Advent. Remove the obstacle. 

Pax et Bonum (Peace and Goodness)