Sunday Gospel Reflection
The word of God came to John in the wilderness.

Introduction

A Contrary Sign

When was the last time something that didn't make sense catch your attention? Did its image have contradictory messages? How was that possible?

Humor and advertising have something in common. Both rely on contradiction to make a point. The humorist will take a commonly shared experience and will look at it in a new way. Voila. The contradictory nature of the experience is laid bare. Everyone laughs because they see the absurdity though the eyes of the humorist.

Ditto, advertisements. Place two contradictory images together, according to the logic of the advertiser, and the public will stop to look. (Whether this works or not is a matter of opinion. But look around. The logic is still in effect).

Before the public appearance of Jesus, a hermit preached in the desert. The preaching and the place created a sign of contradiction. And a way to catch the imagination of the people.

First Reading
Baruch 5:1-9

1 Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on for ever the beauty of the glory from God.
2 Put on the robe of the righteousness from God; put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting.
3 For God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven. 
4 For your name will for ever be called by God, "Peace of righteousness and glory of godliness."
5 Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height and look toward the east, and see your children gathered from west and east, at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them.
6 For they went forth from you on foot, led away by their enemies; but God will bring them back to you, carried in glory, as on a royal throne.
7 For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low and the valleys filled up, to make level ground, so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God.
8 The woods and every fragrant tree have shaded Israel at God's command.
9 For God will lead Israel with joy, in the light of his glory, with the mercy and righteousness that come from him

Second Reading
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11

4 ...always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
5 thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
6 And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
...
8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God

Gospel Reading
Luke 3:1-6

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiber'i-us Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturae'a and Trachoni'tis, and Lysa'ni-as tetrarch of Abile'ne,
2 in the high-priesthood of Annas and Ca'iaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechari'ah in the wilderness;
3 and he went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

Bible Study/Meditation

"Pre-evangelism" is a modern ministry term that refers to the biblical process of preparing people to receive the Good News of Jesus and the salvation available through him. In one sense it is very much like the agricultural process of preparing the soil to receive seed so that the seed has the optimal chance of germinating and springing into life. The farmer prepares the soil by plowing, tilling, and adding various soil supplements, depending on the condition of the soil. This process takes time, energy and money, however without proper soil preparation much seed would be wasted and the harvest greatly diminished.

John the Baptist was a herald of Jesus' arrival on the scene and history of man's salvation. John's austere life and straightforward proclamations prepared the way for the appearance of Jesus and the starting of his ministry. John was involved in "pre-evangelism" long before the term was coined, for he conditioned hearts to be receptive to the arrival of the Lamb of God, and Jesus' work of salvation.   Consequently, when Jesus presented himself to John to be baptized, several of John's disciples were prepared to follow Jesus, ultimately becoming his disciples. Because of John's preparatory work the seed of Jesus' words fell on the receptive soil of their hearts, bringing forth both growth and fruit.

Like the people of John the Baptist's day people need a herald to awaken their hearts to the Good News. As Pope Paul VI points out "Above all the Gospel must be proclaimed by witness. Take a Christian or a handful of Christians who, in the midst of their own community, show their capacity for understanding and acceptance, their sharing of life and destiny with other people, their solidarity with the efforts of all for whatever is noble and good. Let us suppose that, in addition, they radiate in an altogether simple and unaffected way their faith in values that go beyond current values, and their hope in something that is not seen and that one would not dare to imagine. Through this wordless witness these Christians stir up irresistible questions in the hearts of those who see how they live." (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 21) Like the farmers soil, people need someone who cares enough to gently break up the fallow ground of their hearts by their living witness, so that it can receive the seeds of Truth.
   
The season of Advent is a prime time to begin this process with people we know. Advent lends itself to being friendly and expanding relationships. Casual conversations about Christmas plans, feelings, and traditions can easily overflow into a gracious and non-threatening sharing with others the real meaning of Christmas for us. Little kindnesses and thoughtful, unexpected acts of grace-filled giving can soften and melt hearts steeled by life's hurts, communicating love, care and concern. We not only can be, but must be, heralds of Jesus especially during this season of Advent. Who knows? Perhaps God will use us in this season to herald his coming to a friend or family member who will hear him, for the first time.

Reflections:

· Please re-read the phrase(s)/sentence(s) that   move(s)/touche(s) you and what inner message of the heart is the Spirit whispering to you?

. As the year ends, we, too, look back to the past for comfort and reflection. But we look forward to the coming of One Greater. Let us take the time to "Get ready."
  ----Take some time this week to review this year. What were your high and low points? How did you "history" affect you? Now, look forward to Christmas. How can you entrust you "history" to the Lord? How can you open yourself to the changes he can make?

. Why is the desert more important than other places listed? Has there been a "desert" in my life?

. Living in today's modern society, what do you have to convert "from"?

.How are you both like John and unlike him? Who have been John the Baptizers in your life?

.Isaiah prophesied of John the Baptist's crying out in the wilderness. What do you think is the wilderness of your society?

.How would you restate John's message of preparation, and the promises of John's message, so that people today would respond?

Prayer

Jesus, I know you are the Lord of all history, and I give you my entire life. Make me a part of your plan.