Second Sunday of Advent
Gospel:
In preparation for this week’s reflection, I could not get James Celvand’s “Are You Ready” out of my head. It’s a gospel song that summarizes this week’s reading well. During the second week of Advent, we are called to focus on Peace.
Taking the definition of peace (shalom) from the Old Testament, one would define it in line with the notion of completeness. Taking the definition from the New Testament it would be defined in line with the absence of strife. It’s also within the New Testament that the term is used as a greeting. After learning about Peace’s history and connection to the ideal of completeness, one; shift the meaning for the phrase “Let there be Peace on earth!” Let beings be complete. Wow. In a world where things are not often complete. Thinking as small as the random to-do list we craft to get things done, to as big as providing the needs to the people of the world.
“Are you ready?” What does that even mean in the 21st century? The first reading the prophet Baruch conceals the Israelites by proclaiming to them a time that GOD will make them complete and how they should prepare. Letting them know that they must put on the “garment of the splendor of glory and the cloak of justice.” The second reading comes from Philippians, in a section Paul introduces himself as a slave of Christ Jesus. ** Using the term slave to establish the unconditional obligation to the service of Christ. Paul encourages the Philippians that in this relationship with Christ, Christ will bring them to completeness.
Luke places John’s imprisonment within the Nativity Narrative to show the intimate relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. John prepared the way for Christ. Their relationship could be understood in the relationship of W. E. B. Dubis and Booker T. Washington; each in the public spaces sharing how Black people could move toward completeness. It’s often argued that the repentance spoken of is spiritual. The definition of repentance includes a commitment to actual actions that shows and proves a change for the better. John’s warning is hollow if it does not include changed actions. My grandmother would say “Don’t be sorry, if you are just going to do it again.”
Another way all of us can “Hold out the light” this Advent is by repenting for our actions that have hindered our fellow human being’s ability to be complete (at peace). This repenting is not only in words, but it must also include action. John said, “bring every mountain and hill low”. So, I say to you “bring every power structure low.” Be In Peace!! Be Complete!!
**Knowing the term slaves hits differently depending on who hears it. Scripture has given us an opportunity to understand power. Paul’s use of slave brings to clarity Europeans’ use of it on the enslaved Africans of this shore. Shedding light on their desired position within the lives of the Enslaved Africans. This act of linguistic racism, Europeans placing themselves in the place of Christ in the lives of the Africans: cannot go without acknowledgement. **
Black Moses is the Call to Action Executive Director. He is based in New Orleans.
