2024/12/08 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Second Sunday of Advent

- Christa Kingsley, Manager of Social Justice & Outreach

Baruch 5:1-9 | Philippians 1:4-6,8-11

In the first reading from Baruch, the Israelites were exiled in Babylon far from their beloved homeland and full of despair.  The road home was very long and winding through many obstacles.  God promised to make their path back to Him straight and to fill in and gorges that would make the trip more difficult, so that they could return to Him easily. 

While this reading focuses on the physical separation of the Israelites from their homeland, we may feel that God is calling us with Love, tenderness, and mercy to lower our barriers to being with Him.  Our mountain might be our egos that keep us from humbly approaching Him in prayer.  Our gorge might be our desire to be perfect in our work which leads us to insecurity and to anxiety and away from His peace. We may be experiencing a spiritual desert due to our over scheduled days.  While we focus on productivity, we don’t leave room for solitude and reflection to hear how the Holy Spirit is calling us to focus on God’s will.   

So, like the Israelites, we may be far from being in the presence of our all loving and all merciful God who made us for a clear purpose.  He created each of us with unique gifts that we need to further His kingdom here in our lifetime.  For us to hear God calling, to recognize His presence in us and to act so others see Him through us, we need to quiet our minds and separate ourselves from our egos and perfectionism.  

In the second reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, Paul reassures us that God has created us from Love.   Paul offers his prayer for us to listen closely to Jesus and to discern His will with every decision we make in life.  That way Christ’s Love will bring us home and we will be well prepared to be reunited with Him.

May we make space for silence this Advent Season.  May this silence keep us present, so we discover Christ’s love all around us.  May we each find ways to spread this love to everyone in our lives.