The Second Sunday of Advent in Year C
John the Baptist calls for repentance, preparing hearts for the coming of God's Kingdom. His message calls all to embrace transformation, making way for Christ's eternal reign.
Gospel according to Luke 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
Reflections
This Sunday’s passage details the figure of John the Baptist, who is portrayed in the tradition of the Great Prophets of the Old Testament. He is “the voice crying out in the desert” (Isaiah 40:3), tasked with calling the people to repentance and renewal to prepare the way for the Messiah. His message echoes the words of Isaiah: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” (Isaiah 40:3). The call to prepare is not only an outward action, but it also demands an inner transformation. John the Baptist urges us to open our hearts and minds so we can accept the coming of God’s Kingdom.
John’s message of repentance is a key theme of the Advent season: The awaited coming of Jesus demands a change of heart. Repentance is much more than just feeling sorry or our sins – It calls us to make space for God in our lives. John’s command to “make the winding roads straight” challenges us to reject any obstacles that prevent us from fully embracing the salvation of Christ. We are invited by John to turn away from sin, to reflect on how we can straighten the crooked paths of our lives, and to prepare ourselves for the grace and redemption of Jesus, such that we can enter into the fullness of God’s love.
A contrast is made between the temporary power structures of the world and the eternal reign of God. The passage mentions the earthly rulers of the time, including Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, and Herod. We are reminded of the ephemeral nature of worldly kingdoms, whose power is limited to their borders, and which will ultimately fall and be conquered. In stark contrast, John’s proclamation of the arrival of an everlasting Kingdom, which will never fade or crumble. This Kingdom is not bound by physical constraints or by geographical borders, and it welcomes everyone to take part in its promise of salvation. The call of John the Baptist is not only for the people of Israel, but it is for the whole world – God’s kingdom transcends earthly rulers and fleeting powers.
The universality of salvation is further emphasized by the image of the mountains being flattened and the valleys being filled. Jesus teaches that His redemptive mission is available to everyone, and does not discriminate based on social status or power. Jesus calls everyone to Himself, and no one is excluded from being able to receive His grace. John’s message dismantles human divisions and prepares a way for everyone to encounter the Messiah. The path is wide and straight, accessible to both the rich and the poor. We are all equally called to embrace the joy and hope found in the coming of God’s Heavenly kingdom.