Reflection from Bar 5,
1-9; Phil 1: 3-6, 8-11; Lk 3, 1-6
The liturgy of
this Sunday continues inviting us to welcome the Lord who is coming to bring
salvation to us. It is necessary to prepare ourselves in order we can receive
the Messiah in any time. The Advent season helps us to recognise that the right
preparation needs transformation total of the heart. The words of the prophet
Baruch motivated the people in the Babylon’s exile, proclaiming the nearness of
their liberation. After all that sufferings they could go back home Jerusalem
with great joy because God remembered them and guided them in his light and
glory. Paul recognises that the faith and communion of the Philippians are extension
of the gospel which they received with enthusiasm and willingness. Through
Jesus Christ and his gospel they can bear good fruits for the glory and honour
of God.
The gospel speaks about John the Baptist whom
was reached by the Word of God in the desert. In the bible, the desert is
special place for the experience of the Word of God’s. In that place many
people were transformed in strong leaders in order to lead the People of God
according to his guidelines. John the Baptist is considered the last and the
greatest of all prophets. The Luke’s version mentions priests and politics
leaders in order to show that through his messenger, God enters in the concrete
life of the people in a specific time. God doesn’t speak in the ear, but
through good and bad events in the history of the people. God made himself one
of us and continues with us in different ways. For that there is no event in
the history without meaning. In order to show the vocation of John in the
events of his time, Luke shows that the greatest event was very near. God enters
in the history with very particular way and requests that the people should be
prepared to welcome the Messiah whom was expected for long time.
The coming of John the Baptist has a
great meaning and follows the plan of God who has right time for everything.
His Word transforms the life of John in instrument of salvation. As John is
link between the Old and the New Testaments, his mission announces that the
time of the Messiah is near to start. He is only the voice which prepares the
ways of the Lord. John prepared the people to receive the Messiah using the
baptism. Through this sign he proclaimed the mercy of God available for each
person because it is plan of God that his salvation should reach all. So, the
gesture of John was condition to pass from life of sin and dearth to grace and
the new life of God. Important aspect in this action of John is that he
baptized those who were in need of the mercy of God and repented their sins.
John and that people believed that it is God whom forgives their sins.
The Baptism of John is different of
ours, but both are opportunity to live new life. For us Christians the new life
is gift of Christ and result of his mission. The Christian baptism, besides the
forgiveness of sins, guarantees participation in the life of the own God. The
baptism is the first of the three sacraments of initiation followed by Chrism
and Eucharist. Our baptism is external sign of the death to life of sins and
sign also of the resurrection in Christ who is victorious against the sin and
the dearth. He is the true light which enlightens each person. Through this
process we become sons and daughters of the light in order to walk in the light
of God each day of our life.
The Advent season helps us to
prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus. While the world of business
advice the people to prepare themselves to Father Christmas buying something,
Advent season proposes inner spiritual preparation and the effort for
reconciliation with God and others. There are obstacles to remove with the help
of the forgiveness of God. For that let us assume this good time to celebrate
the sacrament of Reconciliation and to live in new way the relationship with
God and others.
Fr Ndega
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