SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT C
INTO HISTORY HE CAME!
LK 3: 1-6
MESSAGE
Some scholars say that St Luke, whose Gospel will serve as our guide this liturgical year C, writes as a historian. Surely not a scholarly historian as we know in the academe. But Luke did intend to present the mystery of Jesus (in his gospel) and of the church (in Acts) within the context of the history of his time. Today’s reading shows clearly how Luke invokes historical figures to prove one thing – the Incarnation happened. And he uses them to illustrate his major point for us this Advent – God has truly entered the world, our world, through the coming of his Son!
The coming of Jesus can be described in two ways. First, it was an “irruption” or a coming from outside – a “bursting in,” a sort of necessary intervention. The Son of God foretold by John would come from outside time and space. He is a guest of creation, a visitor from the Father’s side. And yet, Jesus’ coming can also be described secondly, as an “eruption,” or an emerging from within, like our Taal Volcano, occasionally spewing out flaming lava or volcanic smog; thus eruption is a coming out from within the realm of the world. It is from inside history, from the womb of the Virgin, from the people of Israel, that Jesus also comes from. Jesus’ coming is an “irruption,” for he comes from the heavenly Father, and an “eruption,” for he is born of the Virgin Mary.
On this second week of Advent, it is good to reflect on these aspects of the coming of Jesus. He comes from “outside” our history; he intervenes in our lives because left to our own devices, we cannot save ourselves. We really need him to disturb our lives and interrupt our preferred rhythm. However, though from outside, Jesus is not an “outsider” because he chose to enter history by becoming part of history – starting small, poor, weak, simple – just like the brothers and sisters he adopted into his heart. It is now the time for us to open the history of our lives, the story of our hearts to this visitor who is truly our brother, too.
REFLECT
What is happening to you these days? What are you going through? Perhaps your life is pleasant and comfortable, but it may also be painful, sad, turbulent, or confused. Prepare your heart for Jesus; making space for the God who is our Savior and our Brother!
