Sunday, December 10, 2017

2nd Sunday of Advent, Cycle B - December 10, 2017

2nd Sunday of Advent
Cycle B
December 10, 2017     

 

Geocentric to Heliocentric


About 1900 years ago, in the year 130, the Greek astronomer Ptolemy proposed the geocentric theory of the universe.

Ptolemy argued that the earth is the center of all celestial bodies.  He held that the sun, the planets and the stars all revolve around the earth.

Ptolemy’s theory dominated for almost 1500 years.  And then, two people – Copernicus and Galileo – promoted a different theory.

They proposed the heliocentric theory.  Copernicus and Galileo developed convincing proofs that the sun is the center of the solar system with the earth, the other planets, and the stars revolving around it.

Well, today we accept this as a basic scientific fact.  But, in its day, this was a revolutionary shift.

Galileo especially met with lots of opposition, even accusations of heresy and suppression by the Church.  People did not want to accept the idea that our earth was not the center it all.

Me to Jesus


John the Baptist in today’s gospel calls for a similar shift in viewpoint that Copernicus and Galileo called for.

John says, “One mightier than I is coming after me.”  John is rather popular, a self-assured person, probably with a good sense of self-esteem. 

But the Baptist realizes that he is not the center of it all.  He sees Jesus as the center and he is telling us to see things this way too.

Struggle with Jesus as Center


This is important for us, but it is challenging.

In a certain way, we human beings are born with a worldview like Ptolemy’s.  As babies and children, everything revolves around us.

Eventually we mature and learn that others are just as important as we are.  But still, even after we come to know this in our minds, we can slip back into a self-oriented mode.

We can slip back into living only for my needs, my wants, and my future.  Maybe our culture’s emphasis on each of us having everything our own way contributes to this.

Advent calls us to the worldview of John the Baptist.  The idea is that the central focus of our life, the point around which we are to revolve is Jesus – “the One who is mightier than I.”

Revolving Around Jesus


Practically, what might this mean for us?

The beautiful, poetic images of Isaiah in today’s first reading really help with this.  Isaiah wants us to get ready for the One who is greater than we are.

So, Isaiah says, “Every valley shall be filled in.”  We need to fill in the valley of inner emptiness by making space for an inner relationship with God. 

This is fundamental and we are to do this by coming to Mass and receiving the Eucharist, and also by privately reading Scripture or praying to God in our own words or in some learned prayer.  We need to fill in this valley.

Isaiah says, “Every mountain shall be made low.”  We are to level the mountain of busyness and of feeling driven to do so many things. 

Often this ends up distancing us from others, even those for whom we are doing all of this.  We need to level this mountain. 

And Isaiah says, “The rugged land shall be made smooth.”  We are to live out of our commitment to one another when things get rugged, especially in our marriage or family and even in friendships. 

We are to be willing to work through troubles with patience, respect, and maybe even with the assistance of a third party.  We need to smoothe this rugged land.

Conclusion


So, John the Baptist calls us to a major shift.

Jesus – “the One mightier than I” – he is to be the center of it all.  Not me!


One of our Catholic theologians says that only when we make this shift are we really spiritual people.  Only when we do this are we on the road to spiritual maturity and will we be ready to greet someday the “One who is mightier.”