Sunday December 6th 2020: Read Br Michael’s Gospel Reflection

The 2nd Sunday of Advent

John the Baptist: Messenger of Hope

The clocks were turned back an hour several weeks ago; Halloween has come and gone as have the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls. The mornings and evenings are now dark and autumn has given way to winter. In more ways than one, these are now dark days for us. Across Britain, Ireland and indeed in many other countries we are still doing our best to live with the reality and impact of Covid 19. The various stages of lock down, social distancing and restrictions continue to test and challenge us as the virus is sadly still very much present. How then during Advent as we try our very best to prepare for the Nativity, do we maintain not only an attitude of optimism, but also a spirit of faithful hopefulness? Today in the gospel we meet and hear the great voice of Advent; John the Baptist, who offers us such a message.

John arrived and offered the people a new message of hope when they most needed it. He is the last of the great biblical prophets. These were God’s messengers who did not come to foretell or predict the future, rather the very opposite. They reminded the people of a past they had forgotten and point to a future they could not yet see. When John began preaching many had forgotten God’s ancient promise, I will be your God and you will be my people. John tells the people that God has not forgotten them and that the long awaited and promised Messiah is coming in the person of Jesus Christ. He encourages and challenges the people with the great words from Isaiah in the first reading; ‘Prepare a way for the Lord, make a straight path for God in the wilderness.’ John offers them and us today hope.

During these dark days of winter and Advent as we continue to live with reality of Covid 19, now more than ever we long for and need a message of hope. Many of us are perhaps feeling more anxious than usual as we begin or continue our preparations for Christmas. No doubt the next few weeks will be very different from our ‘normal’ family and parish celebrations, and naturally we are disappointed by this. How then do we remain hopeful?

Perhaps the prayer we pray after the Our Father at mass can encourage and strengthen us these Advent days. The words of this prayer are, I believe at the very heart of our Advent preparations, especially this year; Deliver us, Lord, we pray from evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

I believe that it is no accident or coincidence that Jesus, the Light of world was born at the darkest time of the year. The Advent Wreath reminds us of this. Today the second candle on the wreath is lit as we take another small but significant step on our journey towards the Nativity. In these dark days, the gentle light from the wreath guides our steps and leads us to Jesus, the true Light of and for the world. God is with us; we are not alone.

It is said that it is better to light one small candle than to continually curse the darkness. Perhaps this week as we try our very best to prepare a way for the Lord, we might each light one small candle in our home to dispel any darkness we are experiencing, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

– Br Michael Moore OMI