Jerusalem is returning from the Babylonian exile and is suffering. The people are grieving and mourning, wearing a garment of grief, and somewhat hopeless. In the first reading, the prophet Baruch announces joy amid those gloomy circumstances. The prophet reminds Israel of their glorious destiny and that God’s children will always stay hopeful. Baruch uses highly exalted words to usher in hope, “Take off your robe of mourning and misery, put on the splendor of glory from God forever.” The prophet reminds them of a new garment, the splendor of glory, and the cloak of justice, the miter or turban. The people need someone to reassure them of their priestly royalty. Baruch does just that and presents us with the prelude to hope in our time.
John’s arrival is announced in the gospel of Luke, amidst references to political heavyweights -Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod and his brother Philip, Lysanias, Annas, and Caiaphas. These political powers are mentioned for a reason, and John will certainly confront them during his mission. Like Israel, John represents God’s splendor of glory as against the kingdom of darkness pictured in the political juggernauts. The devil manipulates these political leaders against John. They are determined to oppose his message, to the point of plotting his death. Yet he preaches courageously and stands firm against the great Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas, etc.
The two prophets from the Old and New Testaments (Baruch and John) set the tone for advent. Each brings to us the importance of the message of hope. To put on the splendor of God’s glory, we must embrace hope despite challenges and obstacles in life. John’s example shows that living in hope calls for preparation.
Hope defiles challenges. Hope is not afraid, but it can be easy to feel helpless or hopeless. Let’s use the example of flying in an airplane here. When the plane enters the cloud, it becomes dark and misty. Viewing the outside from the windows makes everything seem gray and hazy. Turbulence shakes the plane. The ride can get scary sometimes. But the plane keeps going. As soon as the plane soars up and breaks through the clouds, it’s sunny above, quiet and peaceful. You know how it looks with the clouds below, open skies above and the sun shining. The plane rides as smoothly as glass, bumps into turbulence occasionally, but still moves on. There are times when the world seems to be in the clouds, when life seems rough. We must keep our eyes looking on God and remember, that He always wins.
God operates in a quiet, composed, and stealthy way. Jesus, the warrior king, made his entry into the world quietly in Bethlehem, just like a baby. As we will sing on Christmas, “Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright… Sleep in heavenly peace.” The Lord Jesus overcame the world and death in the silence of the grave. Jesus is very active today, too. The Lord is at the gates and will bring about the victory. Like the Israelites, we must take off our cloak of mourning and put on the splendor of glory from God.
The invitation is to focus on prayer and spiritual exercises that keep us close to Him. John says, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Lk. 3:5-6).
These are ways to keep hope alive and to put on God’s splendor. Perhaps, there are still resentments and grudges in your heart. Are there still malice and hatred issues that are hard to let go of? How can you be hopeful? Can we wear God’s splendor with trash in our souls? Let us learn from John the Baptist and take advantage of Advent to prepare. Let us make hope a constant theme during this special period. Take advantage of the sacrament of confession to make straight those paths and to level those rough edges. God’s salvation is near.
Readings: 1st- Bar. 5:1-9; 2nd- Phil. 1:4-6, 8-11; Gospel- Lk. 3:1-6
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