2nd Sunday of Advent

 

 

My dear parishioners,

 

God is Good!!!  All the time!!!  And all the time!!!  God is Good!!!

 

This oracle sets the tone for the remainder of the book.  The period of exile in Babylon has come to an end. The royal city of David has received “double for all her sins.”  Now begins the time of restoration. Appropriately, the oracle begins with a repeated message of comfort. By tradition such repeated good news (see also Is 51:9, 17; and 52:1, 11) was a special privilege granted Isaiah for his eager service to God.

The Gospel of Mark does not begin with an infancy narrative as do the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It does not begin with a creative poetic hymn to the Logos (Word) as does the Gospel of John. Instead, Mark begins with a one- sentence profession of faith. He informs us that this is the beginning of the Gospel about Jesus Christ who is the Son of God. This is the story about salvation in Jesus. This sentence is clear, precise, and it says it all.

 

It all begins with prophesy. Mark begins the Gospel proper by placing it within the context of Old Testament prophesy. He claims to be quoting the prophet Isaiah. In fact, he has conflated three separate texts (Ex 23:20, Is 40:3, and Mal 3:1). Much of the time, such quotations were done from memory and conflation was a standard practice accepted and understood. Obviously, Mark has shaped these quotes to fit the mission and ministry of John the Baptist. However, John the Baptist did not just pop up out of nowhere. He is part of a long line of traditional prophets looking forward to the advent of the Messiah and preparing the people for that monumental event.

 

A baptism of repentance. John the Baptist began his ministry in the desert by proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This is not Christian Baptism. This was a Jewish form of preparation for the coming of the Lord that encouraged people to change their lives for the better and seek forgiveness from God. Such a commitment was symbolized through baptism. John is portrayed as being very successful in attracting people from Judea and Jerusalem.

 

John the Baptist, a type of Elijah. John the Baptist has characteristics that remind one of the prophet Elijah. This is especially true in terms of his clothing and diet. Nevertheless, his message and mission are clear. He is not the subject matter of his own preaching. He is pointing to someone else who is mightier and is coming after him. This person is more powerful than John the Baptist and held in much higher esteem. John the Baptist simply serves as a precursor preparing the way by preaching repentance and baptizing with water. Jesus, however, when he comes will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ baptism will be a form of empowerment. It is qualitatively more important than that of John the Baptist.

 

Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org

 

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Aloysius