Second Sunday of Advent - C December 6, 2009

Baruch 5: 1-9 Philippians 1: 4-6, 8-11 Luke 3: 1-6

As part of the difficult and challenging process that the Diocese and parishes going through in closing and consolidating parishes, the process known as “clustering,” an effort which is being undertaken here at St. Mel parish is the composition of a brief sketch of the history of our parish. When it is completed, it will be made available as a booklet, similar to the “Tour of St Mel Church” that is found at near the entrances of the church. The purpose behind putting this booklet together is to provide a reminder to those of us who are members now of some of what has gone in to our development as a parish and to extend a gesture of welcome to those who are looking for a new and different parish community to join, to worship with, as their own parish church closes.

This efforts is also being made as a reflection of the conviction that knowing a little history, having a little background, helps to put things into perspective. It helps to appreciate the present time and circumstances as we look forward to whatever the future holds for us individually and as a parish community. To use a favorite phrase: it helps us know why we are the way we are and why we do the things to do. To this, I would make the addition: a little history helps in thinking through how we will be what we can be.

Giving thought to this small effort at writing and studying our local history can help to understand the words of Saint Luke in the gospel passage which was just read along with the thoughts of a prophet by the name of Baruch and what Saint Paul wrote to a small Christian community in the city of Philippi.

As he begins to tell the story of the ministry of Jesus, he starts by providing a list of historical individuals. He gives the names of persons who can be found not only in Christian scriptures, Christian writings, but also in other secular sources of historical writing. Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate and Hero were part of the civil government of the time. Annas and Caiphas were part of the religious government of the period. He is setting the scene for the ministry of Jesus by letting us know that it happens in a definite place and at a definite time. It is at that time and place that a person named John, nicknamed “the baptizer” or “the baptist” begins to preach, to announce the possibility of reform, development and growth. He proclaims an opportunity for his listeners to examine themselves and to look at the world in which they are living and to undertake a response to it. An historical moment has arrived - in the history of the world and in the history of their lives. Living then and there is to be recognized, acknowledged and explored for what it can mean for them.

In a way, it is similar to what gave rise to the establishment of our own parish community. When major construction took place in the years after the Second World War, homes were rapidly built in this area, replacing acres of orchards and vineyards. Excavations were made, foundations were dug, streets were laid out. A transformation took place much along the lines of what John describes in echoing the words of Baruch: lower the mountains, fill the valleys, build highways and roads.

A moment in history is recalled for us today to remind each of us, to remind all of us, that today, at this year’s time of preparation for Christmas, with this year’s peculiarities because of current events and happening, is a moment in our histories. It is a time to begin a new phase in our own personal growth and development. It is a time to examine ourselves, as we are today, each in our own lives and as we are as this parish community of believers in God and Jesus Christ. It is a time for us to examine how it is that we respond to what it is that we say we believe; how it is that we give substance and meaning to the words that we profess; how it is that we, in the words of St. Paul, increase our knowledge and our perception. How do we discern for ourselves what is truly of value and importance for ourselves? How do we fill our day to day living with a right way of live and acting?

The words we hear point to a moment in history. They are words that are also addressed to us, words that are to be listened to and acted upon. It is a message given to us that calls us to show and make known not only here in this church building and as part of this parish community but also every day and everywhere that we live and go. We are to live in a what that gives glory and praise to God. We are to live in a what that takes the words that are said makes them deeds that are done. We are to live in a way that is a genuine effort made by each of us to reveal and to reflect the goodness of our gracious and loving God.