Download The Second Sunday of Advent (C) 6th December 2015

The Second Sunday of Advent (C) 6th December 2015
1. Readings
Baruch 5:1-9
Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Luke 3:1-6
2. Biblical Reflection
 Baruch, whose name means blessed [thus the Hebrew equivalent of the name
Barack] was scribe to the prophet Jeremiah. But the Deuterocanonical book
bearing his name originated almost four centuries later. While the book seems to
address the exiles of Babylon, it was really aimed at the later Jewish diaspora,
giving them hope of returning to Jerusalem. The beautifully poetic text of Chapter 5
echoes Deutero-Isaiah, teaching that God alone can save Israel. It is not ourselves,
not human intervention.
 But what moral obligation is entailed for Israel? Does salvation have no demands?
“For God will show all the earth your splendour: you will be named by God forever
the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.” Justice. This is what the Lord
requires.
 The prayer session of Pope Francis at St. Mary’s with Kenya’s clergy, consecrated,
and young in formation had the theme of partnership, and this same text from
Philippians was read that day. The Holy Father remarked that he was struck by the
words “May God who began a good work in you bring it to completion at the day of
Christ Jesus!” (Phil. 1:6). That good work began, said the Pope, on the day of our
baptism. The call “If you wish, come with me,” came later. But it was God who
began the journey, not ourselves.
 Like the Old Testament writers who carefully situated prophets by naming
contemporary rulers, Luke refers to Roman and Jewish personages to date the
preaching of John the Baptist and thereby highlight the beginning of the ministry of
Jesus. Among the synoptic writers, only Luke puts into the Baptist’s mouth the
universality of salvation promised by Isaiah: “and all flesh shall see the salvation of
God.”
3. Link with the Apostolic Exhortation The Joy of the Gospel *
 “In fidelity to the example of the Master, it is vitally important for the Church today
to go forth and preach the Gospel to all: to all places, on all occasions, without
hesitation, reluctance or fear. The joy of the Gospel is for all people: no one can be
excluded. That is what the angel proclaimed to the shepherds in Bethlehem: ‘Be
not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all
the people’ (Lk 2:10). The Book of Revelation speaks of ‘an eternal Gospel to
proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tongue and tribe and
people’ (Rev 14:6)” No. 23.
4. Yes, Kenya matters!
 At Kasarani, Pope Francis pronounced the word “tribalism” at least eight times. He
said, “Let’s stand up as a sign against tribalism. We are all a nation, that’s how our
hearts must be.”
 Tribalism is a “tradition” of many cultures, and not just in Africa. A “tradition” has
been wisely described as “an experiment that worked.” But after many centuries,
different cultures are beginning to realize that this “experiment” doesn’t work for
everyone.
 Just as salvation is for all, the common good of the nation must be for all. For
tribalism to diminish and disappear may well take several generations, but those of
us who have received the grace of baptism into a universal Church ought to realize
we have been given a head start. It was God who began this good work, not
ourselves.
5. Wisdom of Francis
 “Letting ourselves be chosen by Jesus means letting ourselves be chosen to serve,
and not to be served.” ‒ AT ST. MARY’S SCHOOL, M’SONGARI, 26 NOVEMBER 2015
 “Corruption is something that eats inside, like sugar. Sweet, we like it, it’s easy. And
then we end up in a bad way. So much sugar that we end up being diabetic or our
country ends up being diabetic. Each time when we accept a bribe and we put it in
our pockets, we destroy our hearts, we destroy our personalities, and we destroy
our country. Please, don’t develop that taste for that sugar which is called
corruption.” ‒ AT KASARANI STADIUM, 27 NOVEMBER 2015
6. Questions for reflection in SCCs
 How did you experience the Pope’s visit?
 What will you remember most of all that he said?
 What do you think of the idea “The visit of Pope Francis will remain part of the
patrimony, the wealth, and the beauty of the Church in Kenya”? Is this true? Is this
an exaggeration? Is it a useful challenge?
 Can the Pope’s words help us change our behaviour? How?
* Pope Francis. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel,
http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazioneap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html
Reflections prepared by Br. David P. Mahoney, CFX, Executive Secretary of RSCK and Secretary of RSCK-JPIC, The
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of the Religious Superiors’ Conference of Kenya.
[email protected]
The Second Sunday of Advent (C)
Reading 1 ‒ Baruch 5:1-9
Reading 2 ‒ Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;
put on the splendour of glory from God forever:
wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,
bear on your head the mitre
that displays the glory of the eternal name.
For God will show all the earth your splendour:
you will be named by God forever
the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.
Brothers and sisters:
I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you,
because of your partnership for the gospel
from the first day until now.
I am confident of this,
that the one who began a good work in you
will continue to complete it
until the day of Christ Jesus.
God is my witness,
how I long for all of you
with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer:
that your love may increase ever more and more
in knowledge and every kind of perception,
to discern what is of value,
so that you may be pure and blameless
for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ
for the glory and praise of God.
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:
but God will bring them back to you
borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.
For God has commanded
that every lofty mountain be made low,
and that the age-old depths and gorges
be filled to level ground,
that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree
have overshadowed Israel at God’s command;
for God is leading Israel in joy
by the light of his glory,
with his mercy and justice for company.
Alleluia ‒ Luke 3:4, 6
R/ Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R/ Alleluia, alleluia.
Responsorial ‒ Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Gospel ‒ Luke 3:1-6
R/ The Lord has done great things for us;
we are filled with joy.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R/
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R/
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those who sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R/
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R/
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,
when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,
and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,
and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region
of Ituraea and Trachonitis,
and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,
the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah
in the desert.
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance
for the forgiveness of sins,
as it is written in the book
of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“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.”