Homily 519 | 2nd Sunday of Advent | Year C
Imagine if you were seriously ill but didn’t know it. It’s actually a good thing that we can feel pain when something is wrong. This is why spiritual sickness can be so dangerous. Sometimes we don’t notice it. We can convince ourselves that nothing is wrong or that it’s not that bad. Fortunately, God is a good parent a finds ways to make sure we have to confront our spiritual sickness.
One of the most important moments in Jewish history happened when God allowed his chosen people to be exiled far from Jerusalem to Babylon. They had been spiritually sick and far from God in their hearts for a long time. God had to allow them to be physically far away so that they could know how serious their separation was. And it worked. While in exile in Babylon, God’s people changed their hearts and that meant that they were ready to return home to Jerusalem.
Our readings today all assume you know about this famous Babylonian exile. The prophet Baruch says,
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children
gathered
The east is the direction of Babylon. Look to the horizon and see the exiles returning. The psalm speaks directly of the return from Babylon,
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.
The gospel quotes from the prophet Isaiah,
A voice of one crying out in the desert: “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 desert here is the wilderness between Jerusalem and Babylon. It’s time to return. God’s people get to cross back to go home, but it’s going to be easy. God is going to make a highway by leveling mountains and filling in valleys. Perhaps we are spiritually in exile in big or small ways right now. Just as was true for those in Babylon, when we decide to get our hearts right with God, he’s going to clear the way. So what are you waiting for? Fix up your road. Get to confession this Advent. It’s time to return.