Second Sunday of Advent – B
Filipino Basahin sa Filipino: Ikalawang Linggo ng Adbiyento – B
IS GOOD NEWS ALWAYS GOOD?
In Advent we are confronted with the Good News of Jesus Christ. But what really is good news? Is it always good, always comfortable, always nice and easy?
Today, we hear the good news from the mission of John the Baptist. In the case of John, we see that the Good News is not always “good,” at least not in the way we expect things to be good. For good news is not comfortable, nice and easy news.
Rather Good news is challenging news. John challenged his listeners to take the path of conversion, of turning away from sin, of returning to the center of their hearts. It is not easy to avoid the path of sin and make amends for our mistakes in life. But for us to meet the One the Baptist points to us, we must at times, painfully refuse anything that removes us from the presence of the Lord.
Good News is also disturbing news. John does not preach himself. He introduces someone greater than himself, full of the Spirit and sharer of the Spirit. Jesus, reveals so much more than John does. In Jesus, we are ushered into the realm of greater mystery, greater love, greater service. Just as when we think John is enough, that we can settle with him and his preaching, here comes Jesus to take us to a whole new level of relating with God.
Lord prepare my heart this Advent to heed your challenges and to be disturbed by Jesus’ call; prepare me for the real good news…
