Luke 3: 1-2
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
This weekend, the church celebrates the 2nd Sunday of Advent, and our reading from Luke begins with a history lesson. Luke tells us who the emperor was, and who the governor and the tetrarchs were. He even tells us who the major clergy were of that time. Why did Luke do this? Maybe he wanted to give us a historically accurate account of what took place. Remember that Luke did not write this as it happened like a news reporter would, but as an historian, after everything took place: Christ's birth, teaching, death and resurrection. It was only after these event did he write. As a reader, who would believe this story of a man being resurrected from the dead? Luke wanted to leave proof that this actually happened and put together a historical time reference to when things took place. He didn't know that a bible would be created, but he did know that the Jews and the Romans had records and dates of that happened. He also mentions a very unassuming preacher named John. John was seen as a strange character preaching across the Jordan to all who would listen. The Jews knew that there were great prophets in their history and they foretold of a savior of their people. John would be the last of these prophets and even a cousin of our Lord. Before the coming of a king, there was a herald, or someone to let the community know that the king was coming. Even when the roman emperor or governor traveled, an official went into towns and village to prepare the dignitary to come. The prophets of Christ did the same, and John was the last of these before Jesus. He was preparing the people for the redeemer of the world. Today we prepare for the remembrance of his birth at Christmas. For some, Christ is not in their lives. They don't know Jesus. Now is the time for all of us to prepare our hearts and minds spiritually for the coming of Christ. Take advantage of this Advent to prepare spiritually through prayer, penance and love this season. Don't let the stress of the holiday consume you. Turn to our Lord today.
