Comfort, Give Comfort to My People

Greetings on this the 2nd Sunday of Advent

Readings: IS 40:1-5, 9-11; PS 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14; 2 PT 3:8-14; MK 1:1-8

Note: Preaching the 9:00AM Live stream if interested.

Circumstances and Consequences

A circumstance is a situation that you are in.

A consequence is a condition that you have earned of suffered as a result of an action.

Two different things.

Ordinary example:

1. My car needs a new timing belt because the timing belt broke unexpectedly. A circumstance.
2. My car needs the engine to be rebuilt because I failed to change the oil on schedule. A consequence.

Either way the Lord wants to comfort you.

Fulfillment

Our first reading is the beginning of the Book of Consolation within the Isaiah series.
Isaiah Book of Consolation – Comfort my People.
Beginning and promise of King Cyrus’s decrees and the return from Babylonian Exile

Zachariah – Silence

Zechariah was forced to be silent for 9 months as a consequence of lot believing the vision of the Lord that his wife would bear a child in her advanced age.

Zechariah’s circumstance allowed for him to mirror in his own life the period of no prophets for the Jewish people. He was forced by circumstance to contemplate the entire history of his people and her response to the loving acts of the Lord.

He was a High Priest. He had standing. He could have continued his career so to speak. But he dedicated his life to teaching his son.

Then Zechariah taught John to become the Herald.

John Grows in the Desert

John is to be the Herald of the coming Messiah.
Canticle of Zechariah – revelation of the miracle purpose.

John’s Characteristics

1. Humble
2. Obedient
3. Self-denial
4. Courage
5. Holy
6. Prophet
7. Groomsman

Activities

1. Not a miracle worker himself
2. Witness to the messiah
3. Taught new ways to existing work
4. Defense of marriage
5. Baptized with water
6. Preacher

Theology

1. Knowledge of Salvation/Forgiveness of Sin.
2. Repent.
3. Behold he who is greater than me was before me.
4. I must decrease, he must increase.
5. Water and Spirit.

Final End

1. To Comfort is also to challenge.
2. Suffered martyrdom.

Peace be with you,

Deacon Gerry