Advent: Preparing for the Lord's Coming

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Sunday of 2nd Week of Advent, Year C, December 5th, 2021
Texts: Baruch 5:1-9; Ps. 126:1-6; Philippians 1 :4-6.8-11; Luke 3: 1-6
The Readings, today, focus on preparing for the coming of the Lord; they speak of what we should do as we await the coming of the Lord. In today's gospel reading, it is said, "As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'” This prophecy is fulfilled in John the baptist who preached the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. This means we are to prepare for our Lord by repentance that we might receive the forgiveness of sins. Advent season should be marked with repentance for forgiveness of sins. Advent is a season whereby we need repentance.
The first reading tells us not to focus on our affliction but on life of the Lord who is coming to save us. Though at present we are faced with adversity and affliction, we should look beyond them to see our Lord that is coming. Some of us have allowed the current situation to take over our minds that we wear around long faces; we complain about everything; we question God, asking, 'why?' God tells us, today, "Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on for ever the beauty of the glory from God. Put on the robe of the righteousness from God; put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting." God asks us to take away the garment of our sorrow and affliction. When we take off the garment of sorrow and affliction, we are not to be naked. We are to put on the beauty of the glory from God; we are to put on the garment of righteousness from God; we are to put on our head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting.
The command to put on something else is a command to change our attitude, our orientation, our view. The command to put on the beauty of the glory from God is a command to savour the glory of God. The glory of God is His manifestation, the manifestation of His power and presence. God manifests Himself in showing love, mercy, forgiveness, justice, changing the law of nature. The book of Baruch was for Israel exiles in Babylon. It was believed that they went to exile because of their sins. Hence, in this context, Baruch was asking them to avail themselves of God's goodness, love, mercy and forgiveness; they were to approach God for mercy and forgiveness of sins, instead of crying over sin and their present situation. We are also called not to focus on our present predicaments but God's love and care, God's grace and strength, God's mercy and forgiveness.
We are also called to put on righteousness from God. This is the righteousness we acquire not by living according to the law but by God's mercy and forgiveness. This righteousness is not based on our works or strength but on the mercy and grace of God. We acquire such righteousness by turning to God, seeking His mercy and forgiveness. At this time we should not allow our present condition to turn us away from God; we are to turn to God for mercy and forgiveness, for His love and care, for His justice and vindication.
We are also instructed to put on our heads the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting.  What does it mean to put on our heads the crown of glory of the Eternal God? It means we are to align with the plan of God to reverse the situation of our lives, from exile  to freeborn. He will give us a new status, no longer exile but freeborn. God is coming to reverse our condition; He is coming to make things better.
Today's second reading speaks of being a partner in the preaching of the gospel. As we wait for Christ's coming we are to be partners in the preaching of the gospel. We are to continue to increase in love, knowledge, discernment, and abound in righteous deeds. St. Paul puts it this way: "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company. Amen. (Colect)

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke