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 total transformation 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. 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 directly, 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 preaching and using the baptism. Through this sign, he proclaimed the divine
mercy 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. The 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 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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