St. Luke takes a slightly different approach to the proclamation of the Gospel than do the other evangelists. His focus, leading us to the glory of the Resurrection of Jesus, takes on a distinct historical tone. He is subtly but clearly emphasizing to his audience that although some of the events in the life, ministry, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus have strange parallels within the mythos of the Greeks, Romans, and other cultures of the ancient world, that they serve to foreshadow the historical reality that is Jesus Christ. The Scriptures, which present the prophecies that are fulfilled in Christ, also tell us that all of creation awaits the action of God in history. The Gentiles, then, are prepared for the fulfillment of the kingdom of God even though they do not have a direct connection to the covenant.

The historical context, then, of the Gospel passage places us squarely within the confines of Roman occupied Judea in the year 27 or 28 AD. We are introduced to the historical figures of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanias, Annas, and Caiaphas. Aside from Tiberius and Lysanias, each of these men will also prove to be important at the end of the Gospel as well, as they play pivotal roles in the death of Jesus.

We are introduced through these figures today, not to Jesus himself, but to John, son of Zachariah and Elizabeth, who is called the Baptist or the Baptizer. While he does not himself stand as a significant figure during the ministry of Jesus, he further contextualizes Jesus and his ministry within Jewish religious history. Standing as he does in a line of prophets that extends for over a thousand years into the past, John carries the entire weight of Jewish prophecy on his shoulders. Coming from the wilderness and bearing the marks of any one of the great prophets of history, John announces the coming of the Messiah. This is not the first time he does this. As we will see on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, John “leaps in his mother’s womb” at the sound of the voice of Mary the Mother of Jesus, when she arrives at their home.

It is interesting that of Advent Sundays, in the Readings for the C-Cycle which we began last week we encounter John on three of the four Sundays. He appears as a stark and somewhat combative prophet, much like many of the Old Testament prophets. He willingly takes on the Pharisees and Sadducees, as does Jesus. Although, unlike Jesus, John will is also starkly critical of the moral failures of Herod and his family.

The prophetic image of John here is rather simple as Luke states: “John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
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We learn, then, simply from John that the best way to prepare for the coming of the Messiah is repenting from our sinfulness. Most assuredly over the past almost two years, many of us have not been to Confession either at all or at least with the regularity that we used to. It is no great secret that in general the number of weekly penitents at almost any church is significantly less than it was half a century ago. Many factors contribute to this fact, but probably the most significant is a failure on our part to recognize our own sinfulness.

While every time of the year is a time to be aware of our need for God’s mercy, the great preparation Seasons of Advent and Lent provide us with an opportunity to focus on this ever-present reality.

Each day of our lives is a time of fulfillment as God’s plan for the world and also for our own individual lives unfolds in time. Today is a day of fulfillment – today is a day to repent and to accept the Lord’s mercy as we confess our sins.

As we continue our Advent journey, seeking forgiveness for our sins becomes the first and most necessary task.

Father Koch is pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel.