RENEWsetter for December 6, 2009 - 2nd Advent

Dear People of Renewal--
Happy New Year! A little early you say? No, actually a week late. The New Liturgical Year began last Sunday. Not all new years begin on January 1. The traditional Chinese New Year begins on the day of the second (or third) new moon after the winter solstice and lasts for 15 days. Rosh Hashanah, the main Jewish New Year, begins 163 after the first day of Passover. Muslims have a new year too, but it comes 11 or 12 days earlier each calendar year, so sometimes there are 2 in the same calendar year. You think it's hard to figure out when Easter comes...? try to figure these out!

But for us Christians (cradle and convert alike), Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas During this time we talk about the arrival of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Advent, as you all know, means "coming". Christ came once as a new born baby, he came as an adult to start his ministry, he'll come again at the end of the world as King. And he comes into people's hearts as Savior, bringing not just a new year, but a new life, a new hope, a new joy.

The readings for the Second Sunday of Advent are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/120609.shtml, and in your Bible in:

Baruch 5.1-9
Psalm 126.1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Philippians 1.4-6, 8-11
Luke 3.1-6

The First Reading is the entire 5th chapter of this short book of Baruch written about the time of the rule of the Maccabees in Israel (~165 to 63 BCE). Baruch was scribe to the prophet Jeremiah. Baruch lived in a happy time for the Israelites. They had their independence and it was time to stop mourning and start celebrating (Bar 5.1-2). The glory of Jerusalem, bestowed upon it by God himself, could be seen throughout the land (vs. 3-4). Now God was bringing his children from the east and the west back to the holy city (vs. 5-6). To facilitate this homecoming, Baruch envisioned the rocky crags of impassable mountains being cut down, and the rubble used to fill the deep, steep-sided ravines and gorges (v. 7). "For God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company" (v. 9). What a wonderful way to live!

One of the songs these happy Israelites were singing may have been our Responsorial Psalm. "The LORD has done great things for us! We are filled with joy!" (Ps. 126.3). The peoples of the world noticed this phenomenon and nodded to each other saying, "The LORD sure has done great things for them" (v. 2) The Jews have repeatedly, throughout history, been persecuted, sometimes, one might think, out of jealousy for the great things God does for them, but other times because God had to punish them. The same can be said of us. "Whom the Lord loves, he disciplines" (see Hebrews 12.6, 7). We may have sown in tears but we will reap with joy (v. 5). As the old hymn by Shaw and Minor says, "We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves."

The Second Reading gives some things to think about with regard to Advent, the Day of Christ (Phil 1.6, 10). Paul gives thanks for our partnership with him in the gospel (vs. 4-5). You see, God began a good work in us, and through blessing and discipline, will keep at it until the Day of Christ (v. 6 again). Paul prays that we will get better and better at loving, at perceiving truth, and at understanding it (v. 9). We are definitely a "work in progress", but God will make sure that we are pure and blameless for the Day of Christ (v. 10 again). Not for our own glory, but for the glory and praise of God (v. 11).

The Gospel Reading from Luke focuses on the time just before the coming of Jesus as an adult to begin his ministry. Luke is very meticulous and factual. He nails down the date precisely by naming the rulers at the time and pinpointing the year of their rule when this all began to happen. He even gives the first and last names (or 1st Century equivalent thereof) of the main character in this part of the story: John the son of Zechariah (Luke 3.1). John heard God's call and followed it out into the desert along the River Jordan. His message was simple: Repent! and then be baptized to proclaim your repentance (v. 3). His mandate came from the prophet Isaiah, from whom Baruch also drew: "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'" (vs. 4-6).

The road may be steep and winding now. There may be obstacles and pitfalls along the way. But the day is coming and now is here when the path will be straightened and smoothed. Don't give up. We will come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves!

Randy Jones
"Those who don't sow won't reap!"