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Second Sunday of Advent

Readings of the Day 
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"I have baptized you with the water; he will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit." [Mk 1:8]

This Christmas, many of us will receive cards adorned with a white
dove, the traditional symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit. Such an
image can be comforting, but comfort is not all that the Holy Spirit
provides.

After all, it was the Spirit that drove Jesus into the desert where he
was tempted by the devil. The same Spirit descended on the Apostles in
Pentecost. But instead of a dove, there were tongues of fire.

The Spirit acts as the Spirit wills; not as we would have it behave.
Keep that in mind as we look upon our nativity scenes this year. The
stable, after all,  is not our destination. It is merely a stop
on our spiritual journey.

The peace of the dove and the intensity of the fire are just two
aspects of the Spirit. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops addressed
this a few years ago when they issued a document entitled Sacraments
and Social Mission.

The bishops remind us that the oil of Baptism signifies anointing by
the Holy Spirit. The baptized then are called to "the exercise
of social, economic and political responsibilities" to order
them to the Kingdom of God.   

At Confirmation, the bishops tell us, action inspired by the Holy
Spirit calls us to "bear witness to Christ by taking courageous
and prophetic stands in the face of the corruption of political or
economic power." The Spirit also "overcomes barriers and
divisions of race, caste, or ideology."

The shepherds and the Magi journeyed to the stable by different paths.
We also have our own spiritual journeys. While that journey may not
take us to the same Calvary that waited for Jesus, it can include
personal hardship as we promote Church teaching on such important
issues as immigration reform, climate change, healthcare, racism and
abortion.

This Advent, as we look for comfort in familiar traditions and
whatever family gatherings as are allowed in this pandemic, let us
look in peace on the manger scene and the baby Jesus. However, let
also consider the Kingdom of God that calls for our active
participation.

There is much work to be done.

Deacon Walter Ayres is Director of Catholic Charities Commission on
Peace and Justice in the Diocese of Albany, New York.

 




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