Reflection for December 8, 2024

Second Sunday of Advent (C)

Baruch 5:1-9  | Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 | Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 | Luke 3:1-6

The Second Sunday of Advent calls us to prepare a royal pathway within our hearts, inviting us to welcome Jesus as our Redeemer and Savior.

When a 5-year-old Oregon girl named Lila May Schow was facing the final stages of her battle with cancer, her parents, Ryan and Heidi, were determined to make the most of the time she had left. Diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma at just 2 years old, Lila wasn’t expected to live past Thanksgiving 2015. Instead of letting the disease steal her joy, her parents took action, planning an unforgettable Cinderella-themed ball. They wanted Lila to experience all the big milestones in life—prom, a birthday celebration, even a wedding—all in one magical night. The entire community of Hood River, Oregon, rallied behind them, with local businesses and countless volunteers donating time, money, and resources to make the event extraordinary. Everything, from the food to the decorations, was fit for a princess. Dressed in a sparkling princess gown and tiara, Lila arrived in a horse-drawn carriage at the Butler Bank Building, which had been transformed into a castle. She walked the red carpet with her father and stepfather by her side, greeted by hundreds of cheering well-wishers. As the evening drew to a close, Lila’s father, Ryan, knelt down and asked her to marry him, giving her the chance to feel the magic of a proposal. The crowd erupted in applause as Lila smiled and waved, her heart full of gratitude for the love and joy that surrounded her, making her final months truly unforgettable.

Today's first reading highlights the fulfillment of God's divine plan for His people. The biblical author portrays a symbolic homecoming to Jerusalem, the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people. Baruch calls upon a mourning Jerusalem to ascend to the heights and behold her scattered children returning, led by God Himself. This passage is believed to have been written during the turbulent period of the Maccabean revolt, approximately 150 years before the birth of Christ. During this time, Israel faced a profound crisis as it struggled to break free from the oppressive rule of the Seleucid dynasty, which governed from Syria. Despite overwhelming odds, the Jewish rebels successfully reclaimed Israel's freedom. The Jerusalem temple, previously desecrated, and the city, left in ruins, now stood poised for restoration and renewal. This hope for liberation is commemorated to this day by observant Jews during the festival of Hanukkah. The prophet’s message resonates with a call to rejoice: "Jerusalem, remove your robe of mourning, for God is leading you in joy." This passage serves as a powerful reminder of resilience, renewal, and the enduring promise of divine deliverance.

A couple from Manila, curious entrepreneurs, visited a remote barangay in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. There, they noticed an elderly farmer named Adriano working alongside his son, Arnel, in a rice field. Adriano was guiding a heavy plow while his son pulled it. The man turned to the Franciscan friar accompanying them and said, “They must be really poor.” The friar nodded. “That’s Adriano de Belen and his family,” he explained. “When the church was being built, they wanted to contribute, but they didn’t have any money. So, they sold their carabao and donated the proceeds. Now, they’re pulling the plow themselves this season.” After a thoughtful pause, the woman remarked, “That’s a huge sacrifice.” The friar gently replied, “They don’t see it that way. They’re just grateful they had a carabao to give.”

The second reading is drawn from the opening of the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Philippi, a city in northern Greece, was where Paul established a Christian community during his second missionary journey around 50 A.D. His ministry in Philippi was remarkably fruitful, such that even after his departure, the believers—whether wealthy or impoverished—consistently supported him by sending financial assistance for his mission. Paul deeply cherished them for their steadfast devotion to the Lord and their partnership in the work of the Gospel. They were not only his fellow laborers but also dear friends whose companionship he valued and whose absence he felt keenly. In his letter, Paul prays that the Christians in Philippi experience profound joy as they anticipate the day of Christ, assuring them that “the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” This reading is fitting for today’s liturgy, as it underscores Paul’s unwavering confidence in their continued support “until the day of Christ Jesus.”

After the New York Times published an article confirming Einstein’s theory of relativity, he became famous as "the famous Dr. Einstein." He started giving lectures at top universities to spark more interest in pure science. His loyal driver, Harry, always went with him since Einstein couldn’t drive. Harry would sit in the back row at every lecture, faithfully listening. One day, after finishing a talk, Einstein heard Harry joke as he got into the car, "Professor, I’ve heard your lecture so many times, I could give it myself!" A few weeks later, as they were heading to Brown University for another lecture, Einstein got sick and asked Harry to impersonate him. He took a seat in the back row, pretending to be Harry. At the lecture, two graduate students were arguing over who was smarter, with one bragging that he was more intelligent than Einstein. He planned to stump Einstein with a tough question. Harry gave the lecture without a hitch, but as he stepped off the podium, the cocky student asked a difficult question about relativity. Without missing a beat, Harry replied, "The answer is simple—so simple that I’ll let my driver answer it!"

During this and the upcoming week, the Gospel readings direct our attention to John the Baptist and his unique relationship with Jesus. John stands in the tradition of the great prophets, calling the people of Israel to repentance and renewal. In the Gospel of Luke, the evangelist cites the words of Isaiah: "A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.’” John’s mission, as foretold by Isaiah, was to prepare the way for the Lord, culminating in the proclamation that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Though some mistook John for the Messiah, he remained steadfast in his understanding of his role. He knew he was not the Savior but a herald, dedicating his life to preparing the way for Jesus. John was vital because he guided people in readying their hearts for Jesus' arrival, yet he humbly acknowledged that his role was secondary. He likened himself to a supporting actor, not the central figure. His message of preparation is central to the Advent season, as he rejoiced in becoming less so that Jesus might become greater. For John, the voice of the Good Shepherd was to eclipse his own voice crying in the wilderness. Just as John prepared others for Jesus’ first coming, we are likewise called to prepare our hearts for His presence today. This involves identifying the distractions that crowd out Jesus in our lives and praying, “More of Jesus, less of me.” Amid the busyness of the holiday season—with its parties, gift-giving, reunions, and travels—we are reminded that Christmas should center on Christ. For so long, we’ve been chasing more of everything—more time, money, energy, creativity, discipline, willpower, motivation. But the truth is, the only thing we truly need more of is Jesus. And honestly, we need less of ourselves. Too often, we try to split the spotlight—half Jesus, half us. But Jesus doesn’t do half. He deserves and demands to be the one and only God in our lives. When Jesus increases in significance within our lives and we humbly diminish our self-focus, our joy will grow abundantly.
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