“Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.” This, the opening line of today’s first reading, is one of the most reassuring passages in the Scriptures, and one that we all long to hear especially at this time as we continue to struggle through the coronavirus pandemic. We can all use some comfort these days, especially from God. Our first reading goes on to explain the reason for the comfort that God is offering his people: “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; indeed, she has received from the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.” “Service” here speaks of their slavery under the Babylonians. The prophet is foretelling the end of their exile; they would soon be able to return to their homeland. And, “double for all her sins” means that they will receive a double blessing in response to their sinful ways because God is ever merciful.
It’s important to recall the occasion of Isaiah’s message of comfort to the Israelites. As you know, God’s plan of salvation has been worked out in history; it continues to be worked out in each of our lives today. Even this pandemic is part of God’s plan. So let’s go back to 587BC. The city of Jerusalem and its magnificent temple had all been destroyed by the Babylonian army under King Nebuchadnezzar. Thousands of Israel’s best citizens were led off to Babylon in what is now modern day Iraq. We’re all familiar with this Babylonian Exile; it was a very sad moment in the history of Israel and it speaks to us today as we feel like we’re trapped in a foreign land, fearful of one another and cowering before an enemy we can’t even see.
During their exile, their prophets had made it unmistakably clear to the Israelites that the destruction of Jerusalem and their exile to Babylon were not due to the strength of the Babylonian army but the result of their abandonment of God and the covenant he had made with them at Mount Sinai. Over and over again, they had turned away from the one true God, made alliances with foreign nations and worshiped their gods. It is in that context that Isaiah comes on the scene with this much welcomed message, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.”
And, the prophet encourages them by saying that “Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together.” They had thought that God had abandoned them but Isaiah makes it clear that God continues to be in their midst, protecting them by his strong arm and caring for them like a shepherd who feeds his flock and returns all of those who are lost back in his bosom. God hadn’t left them; they had wandered away from him.
This message, proclaimed to the people of Israel more than 2,500 years ago, and repeated in today’s Gospel where we hear John the Baptist proclaiming a baptism of repentance, speaks to us today as well as we prepare to celebrate Christmas during these stressful times. What was good news for the Jewish people who, at this point in time, were feeling God-forsaken, is good news for us today, as well. God had not forsaken them at all, Isaiah said to them. What good news that was for them and what good news for all of us who seek to be God’s people today.
As it was for the people of ancient Israel, this is a time for us to turn back to God, to become more aware of the importance that reliance on God plays in our lives. We have gotten accustomed to thinking that we are in charge of our lives, that hard work and good connections will assure us a good life. But, like the Israelites of old, we have learned that God is in charge of our lives and that we can only rely on him for a truly good life. In today’s second reading, we hear that God is patient with us, not wishing that any of us should perish but that all shouId come to repentance, that is, to turn back to him. This is a good time for us to recognize that, like the ancient Israelites, we have fallen short in our complete faithfulness to God. That means it is a joyous message for all of us.
And, note this: God didn’t forgive Israel because they deserved to be forgiven, or because He regarded their offenses lightly. God forgave them simply because He loved them.
And, of course, that is the meaning of Christmas. “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.” Christ came to us not because we deserved it, or because he approved of everything we are or have done. He came because of his Father’s great love for us. As we await his coming during this holy season of Advent, let us be the heralds of this good news. As God treats us with gentleness and compassion, let us be gentle and compassionate to everyone we meet. Like John the Baptist in today’s Gospel, we are not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. And yet, he comes to lead us through the struggles of this life back to his Father. What a comfort this is for all of us.