We’re into some good and empowering readings this week, as
we continue our journey through Advent. We’re being told of great things that
we need to get ready for - and we’re hearing them from some unlikely sources.
Let’s look first at the reading from Baruch. Baruch ben
Neriah was a Jewish aristocrat. He’s a
minor prophet from the 6th century BC; he was best known not for his
own writings but because he was secretary, friend, and scribe for the prophet
Jeremiah. He followed Jeremiah around, providing written copies of his words to
the communities (and the world). Because of this, some people suggest that his
works should not be included in the scriptures.
And yet, we have them – and what a beautiful message Baruch brings us.
He’s writing to those who are in captivity: “God will lead Israel with joy, in
the light of his glory, with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.”
Powerful words that are not to be taken lightly, empowering words for the
people who wait.
Similarly, the Song of Zechariah, which we read today as the
Canticle, is speaking to a people in captivity. And once again, it’s not exactly
coming from a source we might expect. Zechariah – what do we know about him?
Well, he’s a devout priest. He’s old. Yet he’s visited by the angel Gabriel and
told he’ll have a son who will announce the coming of the Lord. Hmm. Zechariah
tells his wife, Elisabeth of this, and then
she conceives. As punishment for doubting the angel, Zechariah is made
mute until the child is named. Thus, Zechariah becomes the father of John, who
will become John the Baptist. It’s
important to remember that his wife Elisabeth is Mary’s cousin. This means, if
we follow the genealogy, he’s Jesus’ uncle. Not quite an unbiased source, yet
his words are strong and comforting: “In
the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to
shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our
feet into the way of peace.”
Then we
have Paul and Timothy, writing to the church at Philippi. Philippi is at this time one of the main
Christian centres, in Greece. Paul visited there in his second missionary trip.
He is, however, as he’s writing, a man in captivity in Rome. Despite knowing he
is trapped, and faces execution, he greets his brothers and sisters in Christ
in a way that serves to bolster their faith.
We hear today just the opening of his letter. Despite his own dire
circumstances, Paul is thanking these folks for their participation in the
Gospel, in their commitment to spread the good news. He is praying that their love will continue
to increase until the second coming of Christ. His thoughts are not asking for
help for himself, but rather promising that the day of Christ Jesus will be
soon, and until such time Paul prays for all of them. What comfort they must
feel as they hear his words: “I thank my God every time I remember you.”
Then again in Luke’s Gospel we hear good news from an
unlikely source. And we’re reminded that this is an unlikely source – because we’re
given all the likely sources for news. All the important people. The folks with
power and authority at all levels government and control: Tiberius is the Emperor
Tiberius, Pontius Pilate is governor of Judea, Herod is ruler of Galilee, Herod’s
brother Philip is the ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias is
the ruler of Abilene, and both Annas and Caiaphas are high priests. These are
no slouches; they’re the folks to be listened to. Luke tells us these names in
direct contrast to the message that needs to be given. Basically, Luke invites
us to ignore these fancy schmancy people, and listen to Zechariah’s boy John.
What do we know about John? Well, from Luke’s account, just that he could quote
from Isaiah. He’s not educated, he doesn’t hold a position of power, he’s just
some guy preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Other accounts of
John tell us a grittier story – he’s dressed in camel hair, eating locusts and
wild honey; he’s the original bushman. A highly unlikely source, yet John
becomes one who shares comforting words with those people around the Jordan who
are desperate to hear it. Prepare the way of the Lord, John says, and “all flesh
shall see the salvation of God.”
So what is the message that we are hearing today? To whom
are we listening, in this day and age, to hear the good news? How do we decide
who we will give our attention to?
We need to think about how we listen for God’s message of
comfort in our lives. We need to think about how we are trapped – captives, if
you will – in the earthly realities of this life. And trapped we are – as we
get nearer and nearer to December 25, we are hearing all sorts of messages of
how to prepare for the season. Commercials are advertising what great deals we
can get in the things that we purchase – toys for the kids, gadgets and clothes
for the adults. Elegant and extravagant foods for our families and guests.
There are carefully composed slogans that tempt us to spend money on particular
products, consumer items. “Nothing says ‘I love you’ like …” (insert product of
your choice here)! We get caught. We are captives in a consumer society that
demands more and more stuff while providing less and less community, love,
family.
We need to think about who we listen to – are we making
choices based on celebrity endorsement? Will we be swayed by the good-looking
actor asking us through the television or newspaper or radio to buy whatever it
is that they’re selling, even though we *know* they’re being paid to read those
words? Will we believe everything that some marketing department tells us about
how their product is the best, the safest, the greenest? Will we get caught up in the “new and
improved” stickers on products, suggesting that everything that came before is
in some way old and inferior?
Or will we choose to hear a true message of everlasting
peace and comfort, given by people who may not wear fancy suits or ‘posh frocks’?
Will we hear a message that will expire shortly after the gift wrap is thrown
away and the batteries worn out, or will we hear a message of life-long – and I
mean eternal life – joy and salvation? Will we be content with temporary sufficiency
that the world gives for one day, or will we commit to the challenge of preparing
our souls for the coming of the Christ?
I suspect that we know what we will do, listening to truth
no matter who speaks it. After all, we
weren’t asked to prepare the house and hearth for one day’s entertainment, easily
forgotten as time passes. We’re asked to continually prepare the way of the
Lord.
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