Did you hear the good news? This question usually sparks immediate attention. People want to hear something that will raise their spirits and bring a bit of joy into their lives. At the same time, it feels good to be the bearer of good news. Typically, people cannot wait to tell good news, and people cannot wait to receive it and then pass it on to others. How even more wonderful it is for a person to be the bearer of good news from God.
We can hear this joyful spirit in the words of the prophet Isaiah, who was anointed by the Lord to bring good news to the people of Israel. This good news included freedom for prisoners, blessings showered upon the poor, and healing for the brokenhearted. And this news came from God, Who is ever-true to His promises. The bearer and the recipient of such good news can know with certainty that it will come to pass.
John the Baptist also was the bearer of good news, much like Isaiah. John was chosen and sent by God to proclaim not only good news, but the Good News, Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. The religious leaders knew that John had a special calling from God, but they were not too sure who he was. John made it perfectly clear that his role was to announce the coming of the Messiah and to call people to prepare their lives for this coming. Make straight the way of the Lord, he said, quoting Isaiah.
As the Church began to grow and expand, the promise of salvation hailed by Isaiah and the call for repentance preached by John were joined together in how the Apostles and the faithful preached, shared and gave witness to the Gospel. Christians were joyful, for they knew Jesus, and had been entrusted with the good news–the Gospel–by Him, and commissioned by Him to take it to the world. Despite persecution, the early Christians remained joyful, for they trusted that the salvation they proclaimed to others they, themselves, possessed through faith in Jesus. This joy was enhanced by their belief that Christ would come again. As we hear in our second reading, Paul stirred this passion in the hearts of his communities of believers, calling them to live joyfully, while preparing themselves by holy living for the coming of the Lord.
Now, let us bring this idea of rejoicing in the good news of Jesus and preparing for His coming into our own time. As a community of believers, we observe this season of Advent as a time to remember that we, as a Church, firmly believe that Christ will return in glory. This season calls us to receive the news of Christ’s coming with the same sense of joy and preparation that filled the early Church. We are to make ourselves ready to receive Him by striving to be perfectly holy, as directed by Paul in today’s second reading.
As believers, however, we cannot just receive the good news of salvation and rejoice in the coming of our Savior. We must also be willing, like Isaiah, John the Baptist, and the early Church, to be faithful to God and share the good news of salvation with others. How privileged we are to be bearers of such incredible tidings. If we truly believe in Christ’s coming; if we see it as good news; and if it fills us with joy, we will not be able to contain our enthusiasm. We will have to share it with others.
In the days ahead, even though we will not be participating in all the festive gatherings, but most of us will communicate via zoom or phone call, we are sure to hear the words, Did you hear the good news? Do not hesitate in saying, Yes. Christ our Lord is coming in glory. It may spark some odd reactions, but it also may open great opportunities to share the good news of our faith with others.