Transformation and Sacrifice

First Reading: Baruch 5:1-9

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. Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children Gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God.

Led away on foot by their enemies they left you: but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones. For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, And that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God. The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God's command; For God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

Second Reading: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11

Praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Gospel: Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,  the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. He went throughout (the) whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of 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.'"

Reflection
By Nats Vibiesca

As a student of educational management program, the art of transformational leadership is a common discussion in our classroom. Transformation is simply translated to “changing for the better”. On the other hand, leadership is like the North Star in the sky. It is located directly above the North Pole that stays at a fixed point, unlike other stars, change position during the night. The North Star is the sailors’ point of reference when they navigate the sea. Thus, following this star would mean life and death for sailors. Good thing GPS technology was developed to guide sailors of this generation.

Likewise, St. John the Baptist is our North Star leading us to Jesus and proclaims His coming. But the requirement before meeting Jesus is for us to be transformed. We need to change to become better. In fact, we have to keep changing if we want to stay alive. Otherwise, we become fossilized. But changing is often difficult.

Transformation is easy in fairy tales, just like in some of the stories that I have written. People become animated animals and vice-versa. There’s no mystery attached to transformation in fairy tales. Unlike in the challenge of St. John, transformation involves self-sacrifice. Only if I pay the price of sacrifices will keep me abreast of change. It will never be true change if it doesn’t cost me anything.

In our generation, the term sacrifice is kept away as far as possible from our consciousness. We often yell: Yes to comfort! No to sacrifice! The term sacrifice consists of two words: the first is “sacrum” or holy and the other is “facere” or to make. The term sacrifice means therefore to “make holy”. Our daily sacrifices like waiting on line to pay the bills, waiting for a jeepney or being delayed by traffic, bad moments during school or work are all “making holy” as our sacrifice for change.

May this second Sunday of Advent transform our lives through sacrifices and to become better Christians as we welcome Jesus, the Word of God.

Prayer

Lord, it’s hard to make sacrifices for change but I trust You that I will overcome the pain attached to each sacrifice. No matter how I suffer, I know that You will strengthen me and I thank You for Your comfort. Amen.