SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 6, 2009
The Word of God came to John in the Desert (Luke 3:1-6). If there had been cable network 2000 years ago, then definitely this would have been Breaking News. This happened when Tiberius was the Ruler of Rome and Annas and Caiphas were the high priests of Jerusalem. The irony, however, was that God bypassed the political and religious centers and went all the way to John in the desert. To introduce Jesus the King to the world God had chosen a simple man living in the desert. What does it means?
God centered world order
The purpose of the Incarnation is the transformation of the world. Political and religious powers that operate from a philosophy of domination and power cannot bring out qualitative changes in the world. Transformation happens only on the foundation of God, the source of all goodness. Change takes place only through individuals who are open to God. Hence the word of God went to John who was in the desert. The desert is a free land, totally untouched by worldly pollutions. A desert is also devoid of attraction or distraction of any sort. Therefore, the desert is the place where one can listen to God and discern his plan and start new. Jesus started his ministry from the desert, with the power of God. The new world order that God envisages must begin from the desert, from God. God must be the starting point, the center and the final destination.
Ordinary people:-God’s Messengers
The Word of God came upon John. He was poor in Spirit. The word of God does not go to the arrogant and the mighty, but it apparently seems to go to the unremarkably ordinary citizens. Like Mary said: “He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.” (Lk 1:51-52) The implications are these:
1. God does not depend on our power or strength to accomplish His mission. For example, Abraham was chosen when he was in his nineties. The leadership role of Israel was given to Moses who had a speech impediment. God works through ordinary people who are poor in spirit.
2. If God chose ordinary persons of the world to deliver the message of salvation, then God can come to you and me as well. And this is really the good- news. Jesus is coming to us regardless of our social standing.
Conversion of heart: the basic demand
John was blessed because he was poor in spirit. He was in the desert. He was totally at the disposal of God. As we are preparing for Christmas, John is requesting the same kind of disposition from us. He says, “Repent.” Repentance means conversion of hearts (metanoia). It is straitening our winding roads and smoothening our rough ways. There are two things that one needs to consider.
1. What are some of my ‘exits’ on my journey of faith that are unethical and ungodly?
2. Am I putting obstacles on the path of others making their journey difficult?
We all have blind spots. Conversion is finding the blind spots in our lives and dispelling them by the light of Jesus. Jesus is waiting to come and fill our emptiness. As long as there is emptiness in our lives, we cannot live our lives in its fullness. We must discover our emptiness and then approach him with an open mind. He will fill our life with his richness.
Conversion is not merely regretting the past but moving forward with commitment. It is growing in love, discerning what is of value, producing fruits of righteousness and standing blameless before God (Ph 1:9-11). How do I show signs of conversion in my life during this Advent?
DECEMBER 6, 2009
The Word of God came to John in the Desert (Luke 3:1-6). If there had been cable network 2000 years ago, then definitely this would have been Breaking News. This happened when Tiberius was the Ruler of Rome and Annas and Caiphas were the high priests of Jerusalem. The irony, however, was that God bypassed the political and religious centers and went all the way to John in the desert. To introduce Jesus the King to the world God had chosen a simple man living in the desert. What does it means?
God centered world order
The purpose of the Incarnation is the transformation of the world. Political and religious powers that operate from a philosophy of domination and power cannot bring out qualitative changes in the world. Transformation happens only on the foundation of God, the source of all goodness. Change takes place only through individuals who are open to God. Hence the word of God went to John who was in the desert. The desert is a free land, totally untouched by worldly pollutions. A desert is also devoid of attraction or distraction of any sort. Therefore, the desert is the place where one can listen to God and discern his plan and start new. Jesus started his ministry from the desert, with the power of God. The new world order that God envisages must begin from the desert, from God. God must be the starting point, the center and the final destination.
Ordinary people:-God’s Messengers
The Word of God came upon John. He was poor in Spirit. The word of God does not go to the arrogant and the mighty, but it apparently seems to go to the unremarkably ordinary citizens. Like Mary said: “He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.” (Lk 1:51-52) The implications are these:
1. God does not depend on our power or strength to accomplish His mission. For example, Abraham was chosen when he was in his nineties. The leadership role of Israel was given to Moses who had a speech impediment. God works through ordinary people who are poor in spirit.
2. If God chose ordinary persons of the world to deliver the message of salvation, then God can come to you and me as well. And this is really the good- news. Jesus is coming to us regardless of our social standing.
Conversion of heart: the basic demand
John was blessed because he was poor in spirit. He was in the desert. He was totally at the disposal of God. As we are preparing for Christmas, John is requesting the same kind of disposition from us. He says, “Repent.” Repentance means conversion of hearts (metanoia). It is straitening our winding roads and smoothening our rough ways. There are two things that one needs to consider.
1. What are some of my ‘exits’ on my journey of faith that are unethical and ungodly?
2. Am I putting obstacles on the path of others making their journey difficult?
We all have blind spots. Conversion is finding the blind spots in our lives and dispelling them by the light of Jesus. Jesus is waiting to come and fill our emptiness. As long as there is emptiness in our lives, we cannot live our lives in its fullness. We must discover our emptiness and then approach him with an open mind. He will fill our life with his richness.
Conversion is not merely regretting the past but moving forward with commitment. It is growing in love, discerning what is of value, producing fruits of righteousness and standing blameless before God (Ph 1:9-11). How do I show signs of conversion in my life during this Advent?
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