For me, one of the most important scriptural references to God\u2019s saving mystery is found in Ephesians 1:7-10, reproduced here from the NRSV.<\/p>\n
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace\u00a0 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,\u00a0 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.<\/p>\n
I am fascinated by the notion of all things being gathered to God, a theme hinted at, for example, in passages such as Isaiah 2:1-5 (a reading for Monday 3 December), Isaiah 66:18-21, and Jeremiah 3:14-17.\u00a0 I am therefore fascinated by the ways in which the reading from Baruch 5:1-9 for the Second Sunday of Advent this year associates the idea of gathering with themes of justice, glory, and joy \/ rejoicing. \u00a0Here is the text from the NABRE, with capitalization for emphasis.<\/p>\n
Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;
\nput on the splendor of GLORY from God forever:
\nwrapped in the cloak of JUSTICE from God,
\nbear on your head the mitre
\nthat displays the GLORY of the eternal name.
\nFor God will show all the earth your splendor:
\nyou will be named by God forever
\nthe peace of JUSTICE, the GLORY of God\u2019s worship.<\/p>\n
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
\nlook to the east and see your children
\nGATHERED from the east and the west
\nat the word of the Holy One,
\nREJOICING that they are remembered by God.
\nLed away on foot by their enemies they left you:
\nbut God will bring them back to you
\nborne aloft in GLORY as on royal thrones.
\nFor God has commanded
\nthat every lofty mountain be made low,
\nand that the age-old depths and gorges
\nbe filled to level ground,
\nthat Israel may advance secure in the GLORY of God.
\nThe forests and every fragrant kind of tree
\nhave overshadowed Israel at God\u2019s command;
\nfor God is leading Israel in JOY
\nby the light of his GLORY,
\nwith his mercy and JUSTICE for company.<\/p>\n
This passage is unique among all the readings used on any of the Sundays of Advent in any liturgical year.\u00a0 It is the only one that refers to each of the themes of \u201cjoy \/ rejoicing,\u201d \u201cglory \/ glorious,\u201d \u201cjust \/ justice,\u201d and \u201cgather.\u201d\u00a0 In fact, the Second Sunday of Advent of Year C is the only Sunday of Advent in any liturgical year in which all four of these themes appear in the readings of the day.<\/p>\n
The in-gathering to God is a phenomenon that manifests and realizes God\u2019s glory.\u00a0 It is accompanied by justice and right relationship among creatures and between creatures and Creator.\u00a0 It is a cause for joy.\u00a0 Every sacramental celebration is a real symbol of the progression of the Paschal mystery.\u00a0 Indeed, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it in no. 571: \u201cIn the liturgical year the various aspects of the one Paschal mystery unfold.\u201d<\/p>\n
Our readings for the Second Sunday of Advent this year remind us that the Advent of the Messiah is the Advent of justice and joy, of the glory of God on display in creation, and of communion and partnership with God.\u00a0 God\u2019s justice is here and yet in the face of injustice there is always more justice to be had.\u00a0 Joy is here but in the face of sorrow there is always more joy to be had.\u00a0 Glory is here but in the face of a disfigured creation there is always more glory to encounter.\u00a0 There are ties that bind us together but in the face of xenophobia and hatred there is always more communion to build.<\/p>\n
Advent is already and not yet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Our readings for the Second Sunday of Advent this year remind us that the Advent of the Messiah is the Advent of justice and joy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":44238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3119,84,91],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-plaza-new-ws","category-lectionary-liturgy-of-word","category-liturgical-year"],"yoast_head":"\n