SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B
The Light of Faith
In this process of advent waiting for God’s salvation, faith comes to the fore because without faith no one can please God (Hebrew 11:6-8). It is faith that sustains us in our act of hope. Thus, the letter to the Hebrews tells us that faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received divine approval and knew that what is seen is made by what is not seen. (Hebrew 11:1).
As we light the advent candle of faith this Sunday, we are invited to add faith to our hope, to believe that the object of our hope is certain (Rm 5:5). Faith makes a way and allows God to act in our lives. We consider the faith with which God’s people awaited the fulfilment of God’s promises. Therefore, we renew our faith, knowing that “the Lord is not slow to carry out his promises” (2 Peter 3:8-14).
In today’s first reading (Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11), the Lord consoles his people and promises forgiveness, and restoration. “A voice cries out in the wilderness…. console my people. Tell them that her sins are atoned for”. Immediately, this prophecy invites us to act in faith and thus, to prepare….a way for the Lord, letting every mountain, hill and cliff laid low, and ridges made valley. These images of mountains, hills, and cliffs, symbolise all those things in our lives that hinder us from fully letting Christ in to manifest his glory in our lives. “Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed”. Interestingly, today’s Gospel evokes the same ancient invitation to openness and preparedness for the Lord of whom John the Baptist in today’s Gospel said he will baptise us with the Holy Spirit.
While we await the coming, and manifestation of his glory in our lives, with good deeds, St. Paul invites us, again in today’s second reading and says, do your best to live lives without stain. The emphasis is on doing our best without losing hearts due to our failures and weaknesses. We are to constantly ask for the power of the Holy Spirit in whom we have been baptised. For Him alone can help us wait and be found at peace when Jesus comes. So, we do not lose heart because what we are waiting for is what he promised as the second reading reminds us.
Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.
Happy Advent Season
Fr Chinedu