Franciscan Friar Fr. Paul Gallagher reflects on the Gospel readings for the second Sunday of Advent. Who were the significant people of your early life? How did their presence in your life impact you?
The content is edited by Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Anne Marie Lom and Joe Thiel. The excerpts from the Sunday readings are prepared by Joe Thiel. To read or download the complete pdf with excerpts for your prayer, please click here: Franciscan Gospel Reflection December 8 2024 Excerpts are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Photo: (St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, North Lake, Wisconsin) Deacon Allen Olson is the Parish Director of this Catholic Community including Monches and North Lake.
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.'”
Background:
The first two verses of this Gospel ground the Gospel in both the civil and religious history. Luke places the events he records where they took place, at their particular time in the events of the world. Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanias and even Annas and Caiaphas were powerful leaders in their world, who ruled with force rather than compassion. By naming them, Luke has placed John’s ministry (and Jesus’) within the context of world events.
Luke also includes details that place these events in the context of the community’s understanding as the chosen people of God. Naming the Jordan River as the place where John was baptizing would link his baptism with their ancestors’ wandering in the desert. The Jordan River was crossed as they entered the Promised Land, and it became a symbol of their entrance to a new life. Luke also reminds his community that John is the son of Zechariah, and therefore a member of the priestly family, which is typically associated with the temple in Jerusalem. To find John in the desert baptizing would be an oddity and raise curiosity.
While the ritual John used in baptizing is not described, it is understood as an expression of repentance or conversion. In this context, the Jordan River carries the symbol of preparing for a new way of living. This new way of living is given an eschatological character, which is reinforced by reference to the prophet Isaiah. The prophet describes the glorious coming of the Lord when he will be revealed to all. “A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.” (Isaiah 40:1-4)
Although these events took place in a remote and unimportant part of the world, Luke suggests that these events have a significance beyond what is apparent. They will impact all people and all of creation.
Reflection Questions:
- What do you know about the world, the country, and your community when you were born? How did that impact the way you were raised and the person you are today?
- Who were the significant people of your early life? How did their presence in your life impact you?
- Have there been times in your life when you purposely made a change in your life? What do you remember about those moments? What impact has that had on the person you are today?
- Do you know people who are burdened by past events, who find it difficult to forgive themselves or others? Is that something you have had to deal with in your own life?
- The text says John came to preach forgiveness of sins, to prepare the way of the Lord. Why? Where do you experience the need to forgive as a necessary path to experiencing God’s presence in your own life?
- Can you speak with God now about what this Gospel passage is saying to you today, or how waiting might be an instrument of God’s desire?
