In this second Sunday of Advent the theme of our readings comes from the understanding that this season is one of joy—in the anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ, which then turns—at the 16th of December—to the memorialization of the birth of the Savior of the world: Jesus of Nazareth.

Even though our readings are somewhat laced with “doom and gloom,” from a purely human perspective today, we now must turn to these Advent readings with eyes and ears of faith so that we can hear them and understand them from the perspective of God.

Sadly—yet appropriately—our readings and their understanding mirrors the meaning and intent of Advent: we are in the midst of gloom and doom all around us due to this global pandemic of Covid-19, yet all is not lost, rather we have great hope and joy in what is offered in and through Faith in Jesus Christ.

In our first reading today from the Prophet Baruch (Baruch ben Neriah (Hebrew: נריה בן ברוךBārūḵ ben Nərīyā; c. 6th century BC) was the scribe, disciple, secretary, and devoted friend of theBiblical prophet Jeremiah. He is traditionally credited authoring the deuterocanonical Book of Baruch. [1]) , tells “Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.” Baruch is speaking to us in our time too, letting us know that we are to turn to the Joy that is God in the midst of misery, fear and tribulation. St. Paul in today’s second reading, is praying in joy for his people, and today you and I must base our prayers in Joy—that Joy that is of Christ and His promise of salvation in the divine life of God. That this Joy is beyond all telling, and that it dwarfs the trials and tribulations of everyday human life—trials of illness or of poverty, trials even in death from horrific diseases like Covid-19. Nothing that this world offers can ever diminish the beauty and joy that is Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Our Gospel today from Luke (3:1-6) brings to us the understanding that our belief in God requires us to act, to become practitioners of faith in the words we use and the things we choose to do or not to do—a lived experience of faith: “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. The aforementioned is accomplished by putting our faith into action, being not just “hearers of the Word but also doers of the Word…”

So what kind of Joy are we preparing from this Advent into Christmas season? Are we focusing on the joy of the world, material and corruptible, or are we in search of Joy that lasts forever? A Joy that goes beyond the warm and fuzzy feelings of the Hallmark card or the butterflies of new love? Are we seeking a Joy that will heal us: A Joy that will enable us to move beyond the broken heart or the broken dream of the best job and the perfect life that Facebook pretends to offer? Is our joy dependent upon the “other person to fulfill us” or do we seek a Joy that is already complete because it is a Joy that comes only from God, a Joy that is founded in the Divine Image and Likeness of God, a Joy that calls us to something more than the transitory items of this world…a Joy that leads to healing beyond the broken bones or the bruised mind of a relationship but rather takes us to a healing that is of the immortal and invaluable soul – to make us One with Him who IS, WAS and SHALL EVER BE.

Indeed, Advent is about “waiting” and “coming” but it is more deeply about Joy, and just like human life, the journey to Him is so much easier when we reach out our hands to grasp His that are already extended to us…extended in Love as they were on the Cross. Joyful Advent!