By Fr Francis Gonsalves, SJ –
Second Sunday of Advent – Cycle B – December 6, 2020
Readings: Isa 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Pet 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!” (Mk 1:3)
Prologue: In the Bible, the symbol of a ‘path’ or a ‘way’ is very rich and evocative, appearing close to eight hundred times. Symbolic meanings are drawn from physical phenomena and understood in religious and spiritual terms. Since, in biblical times, walking was one of the most common ways of going anywhere, it would be but natural to compare one’s everyday life and spiritual growth with a pathway: either making progress and leading to salvation or being regressive and leading to damnation.
Three Scriptural Signposts:
- The first reading is from the so-called ‘Book of Consolation’—chapters 40 to 55— where the prophet called ‘second Isaiah’ [Deutero-Isaiah], a devoted disciple of the great Isaiah, consoles his people in the midst of deep darkness and desolation. Given the historical circumstances of the Exile, there was little room for hope. Indeed, the only ray of hope was that Cyrus, King of Persia—who would ultimately be instrumental in freeing the people from their exilic woes—had won his preliminary victories and the stranglehold of the Babylonians was on the decline. Nonetheless, the prophet assures his depressed people that God would surely come to lead them out of their ‘second slavery’ (the first slavery being that of their ancestors under the Egyptians). The exile, in Isaiah, is symbolically portrayed as the ‘second exodus’. Miracles of the ‘first exodus’ will now be repeated: “Every valley shall be lifted up …. the rough places made a plain” (v.4). In those days when there were no roads or highways, when any dignitary visited a place, the rough camel-tracks were smoothened to facilitate fast movement. Note that the exodus and the exile become ‘models’ typological of future hope. God will repeatedly deliver people because God is true to Godself. God never fails. The language of the prophet is poetic; his prophesies laced with lovely expressions that inspired musical composer George F. Handel to use it in his famous oratorio, The Messiah, which reads: “Get you up to a high mountain, O herald of good tidings to Zion; lift up your voice with strength, O herald of good tidings to Jerusalem” (v.9). The term good tidings in Hebrew gives us the noun Gospel in its New Testament sense.
- “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (v.1) is a simple, short, yet stately statement introducing the ‘good tidings’ according to evangelist Mark, which were once announced by the prophets—obviously, one of them being Isaiah—now being fulfilled in Jesus. Though his gospel does not have narratives of the birth and boyhood of Jesus, Mark uses two Christological titles, namely, ‘Christ’ and ‘Son of God’, to dispel doubts about who Jesus really is. The coming of God’s Son is proclaimed by John, the Baptizer, who is both, ‘messenger’ (Mal 3:1) and ‘prophet’ (Isa 40:3). John dwells in the wilderness, the desert, where one is forced to face one’s deepest self and God. Wilderness is the place of revelation and proclamation, from where John proclaims his message. John is basically (a) a preacher of repentance, and (b) the precursor of the Messiah. The “gospel of Jesus Christ” can be understood either subjectively; i.e., the gospel preached by Jesus: the good news of the kingdom as in Mk 1:14; or, objectively, as the gospel about Either way, it calls for conversion.
- “All Judea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him [John]” (v.5). They make their pathway to the Baptizer mindful that they need to repent for their sins and misdeeds by going underwater to wash themselves clean and to emerge, clean, and open to the skies. The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, etymologically means ‘reverse mind’. True repentance is possible only when people reverse their mindsets, their clinging to a burdensome past, their backward-looking, in order to be free from dead habits and the shackles of sin. There is an interior pathway and an exterior one. The pathway from the mind to the heart and to the depths of one’s being (interior) must drive one outward towards newness of life (exterior). John is truthful and humble. He knows that his mission is only to set off a process in motion. His baptism in the Jordan is only a preparation for the ‘real thing’, so to say. Pathways are usually described from the viewpoint of the traveller who must remove obstacles that prevent her/him from going out. However, the pathway that John maps is mainly from the viewpoint of the arriver, the one who yearns to come in: Christ. To “prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (v.3), would thus mean to be open to the stirrings of the Spirit in one’s life. Rather than engage in hectic activity, one must watch, wait and welcome. Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit cannot be forced or accelerated by human effort; it is wholly and solely divine grace. The straighter and emptier one is, the better. Why, you too can be a pathway and channel—inspiring others to allow Christ to move in and out.
Linking the 2nd Reading and the Psalm to the General Theme:
- The second reading ascribed to Peter is perhaps a later addition that appeals to Peter’s authority as the ‘rock’ of the Jesus movement and the leader of Christ’s ‘Way’. The community seems disappointed that the Last Day, the End-Time, has not yet dawned. Thus, the explanation: “With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance (vv.8-9). Our task is only to prepare pathways though repentance. One cannot question: How? When? For, God alone is the Master of all times and seasons. But, “the Day of the Lord will come like a thief!” (v.10). The Christian community is exhorted to watch and to wait “for new heavens and a new earth” (v.13). With hope!
- The psalm (85) looks forward to God’s intervention. It echoes many themes of the first reading: “salvation is at hand,” “glory may dwell in our land,” and reiterates traces of the coming of God: love, faithfulness, justice and peace. The verse: “Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps” (v.13) reminds us how the prophet describes his mission and how it applies to John, the Baptist, who goes before Jesus.
In Lighter Vein: A woman was dying of cancer. Her doctor said, “Ma’am, your cancer has spread; I’m afraid you’ll die soon. Is there any last wish you’d like me to fulfill?” “Yes,” cried she, weakly, “Can you take me to another doctor?” It’s difficult to accept painful truths like I’ve tested COVID-positive or I’m a sinner. But John’s accusing finger diagnoses my spiritual cancers and prescribes a cure: repentance (inward) and making new pathways (outward).
The absent-minded professor, late for his lecture, rushed out of his house and got into a cab. “Drive fast,” he screamed at the driver, “I’m late!” The cabman began driving as fast as he could. After a while, the professor asked: “Do you know where you’re going?” The cabbie replied, “No, sir, but I’m going superfast, as per your instructions.” Where is your path headed?
Fr. Francis Gonsalves is the Executive Secretary, CCBI Comm. of Theology & Doctrine and President, Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune and former Principal of Vidyajyoti College, Delhi. He is also the Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Theology and Doctrine. He has authored many books and articles and is a columnist with The Asian Age and The Deccan Chronicle national dailies.