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Exegesis
December
4, 2005
Second Sunday in Advent
(B)
Sr. Betty Jane Lillie
Is 40:1-5, 9-11
X
Ps 85:9-14
X
2 Pt 3:8-14
X
Mark 1:1-8
As a focus for our reflection on the readings for this week, let us look at
the beginning of the Gospel of Mark. The Evangelist calls it the “beginning
of the Good News of Jesus Christ.” The Good News begins with the words of
the Prophet Malachi that announce the coming of a messenger who would
prepare the way for the Messiah. (Mk 1:2; Mal 3:1) Then follows an excerpt
from Second Isaiah that calls for preparation for the coming of the Lord by
making straight his paths (Mk 1:3; Is 40:3). In other words, it is a call
to repentance.
In biblical terms the concept of repentance is often
referred to as turning or returning to the Lord. Sometimes it
is even rendered as turning around. The Gospel speaks of a baptism
of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John’s baptism was not
yet the baptism with the Holy Spirit, but he called it a baptism with/in
water. What might that have referred to?
In the time of John the Baptist the Jewish practice of ritual
washing in preparation for worship was observed. It was a symbolic act that
reflected the desire to repent of one’s sins and thus be ritually pure for
holy days including the Sabbath. Many think that was the washing/baptizing
ritual referred to by the Baptizer, only at that time it was a preparation
for the coming of the Messiah.
John came in the style and garb of a prophet, but he was more
than a prophet. He
was the precursor of the One Who was to come. He was referred to as the
voice of one crying out in the wilderness that the time of waiting was
fulfilled. The One to come would be more powerful than John, and would
baptize with the Holy Spirit. If we look at the extended text of our
reading, we see that the sacred writer uses the word voice in two
ways. First, it is the voice of reprimand: the people had the constancy of
grass that withers. (Is 40:6) Then it is the voice of the herald of Good
Tidings that says to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” (Is 40:9)
God’s word is immutable: it will stand forever. (Is 40:8)
Our second reading takes up the theme in an apocalyptic style
that shifts the scene to the day of the Lord. The image of fire is used to
signal the passing of the former ways and the coming disclosure of the kind
of persons we ought to be through repentance/turning to holiness and
godliness. Renewal in accordance with God’s promise is described as
new heavens and new earth where righteousness is at home. The writer tells
us what to do in the time of waiting for these things. We are to strive to
be found by Christ at peace, without spot or blemish.
As we await the coming of Christmas we can prepare with the
Psalmist by reflecting that our righteousness goes before the Lord and will
make a path for his steps. (Ps 85)
Betty Jane Lillie, S.C.
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