REFLECTION FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Greetings on this Second Sunday of Advent in this year of Covid-19.  As I spent time with the readings for today’s liturgy, I thought that the beauty and poetry of the words should cause the message to touch our hearts and minds deeply as we grapple with the reality of our world that we live in during this strange time.

I start with the Responsorial Psalm as I begin this reflection.  “LORD, LET US SEE YOUR KINDNESS AND GRANT US YOUR SALVATION.”  It seems very fitting for us to spend time today crying out to God with this profound yet simple plea.  Each of us has experienced the disruption and challenge of this new world order.  The forced retreat to our homes, the time spent in familiar yet more isolated and lonely places, and the cancelled plans for work or events, cause us to cry to God for help to meet these challenges.

The beautiful and poetic words of Isaiah call us to ponder the power of God in our lives. Our faith calls us to conduct ourselves in holiness and devotion as we wait for the promise.  Can we go up to the high mountain and cry out to God?  God promises comfort, tenderness, smoothing the rough ways.  God is the shepherd who feeds his flock, gathers us into his arms and leads us with care.

The second reading from Luke tells us of God’s patience with us.  God desires us to wait for the promise of a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  We await the future God holds with eagerness and peace.

Finally, our gospel reminds us of new days to come:  Behold I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare your way.  A voice of one crying out “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”

Can we stop today for a few moments or a time of meditation to hold these words to our hearts?  As I spent time with them, I thought how God has given us a message of strong hope and encouragement during these days of disruption and darkness.  While we are forced to “Stay at Home.”  “Limit time with people.”  Distance ourselves.  Protect our friends and relatives so that they are safe and well.  God gives us time to feel his patience, his abiding care, and his presence in our lives.  Can we pause and ponder the gift of this time rather than grieve over the people we cannot visit or the tasks we cannot accomplish, or the cancelled events.  God promises us a new day coming.  Can we stop and give thanks for the good we find amidst the turmoil of these days and live in hope and gratitude for the new day ahead.

Picture yourself in the arms of the shepherd and cry out, “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.”