Second Sunday of Advent

Readings of the Day 

“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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