The Second Sunday of Advent follows last week’s alarm to wake up with John the Baptist’s call to repentance. Luke, as a careful historian, situates the beginning of John’s proclamation of God’s word at a precise moment in time (vv 1-2). All four Gospels quote the passage from Isaiah (40:3-4; see Mt 3:3; Mk 1:2-3; Jn 1:23) to refer to the mission of the Baptist, but each one abbreviates it or modifies it. Luke is the only one who includes Is 40:5 (v 6), which emphasizes that John’s mission is for the benefit of all peoples.

Repentance, which opens one to receive God’s forgiveness, is precisely the act which clears a straight path for the Lord, into the heart of the individual and into the life of the community. Repentance is not just a "God and me" peace treaty, but a genuine turning away from sin in all its aspects, especially those which erect barriers within God’s people. Thus, repentance is a turning from self-centeredness to others as well as to the Other. John the Baptist makes the implications of this sort of repentance clear in the following verses (vv 7-14).

The book of Baruch (attributed to the secretary of Jeremiah, see Jer 32:12-16; 36:4; 45:1-5) appears to be a late (second century B.C.E.) compendium of earlier prophetic teaching for Jews living in Greek speaking areas outside Palestine (i.e., Jews of the Diaspora). This chapter expresses well their attitude of longing for Jerusalem as the mother who will gather her children from all lands of exile. This sentiment strikes a responsive chord in the hearts of Christians who await the fulfillment of Christ’s coming.

This processional song, intended to accompany the march of freed exiles as they approach Jerusalem, expresses confidence that the Lord who brought them back will restore prosperity. Response: "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy."

Paul established a Christian community at Philippi, a wealthy center of commerce, on his second missionary journey, about 50 C.E. (see Acts 16:10-40). Although he suffered a brief imprisonment there, his apostolic efforts met with success, and when he wrote this letter (either 53 or 62 C.E., also from prison), he was pleased with their adherence to the way of Christ. In this greeting to them, he could happily point to their experience of God’s gifts —the good work he had begun (v 6) — as the sure sign that God would be faithful to his promises and bring them to the rich harvest of justice (v 11).

1. How can you clear the way for the Lord in your life?

2. How can Paul be so happy in prison? What works of God in your life, even in the midst of adversity and disappointment, can you see as sign of growth in Christ?