Second Sunday of Advent

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120411.cfm

Animals made of vines

Comfort, give comfort to my people,
says your God.
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.


Several years ago I heard a priest speak persuasively of the Roman Catholic teaching on birth control. If I wasn't the one who raised the question, I certainly agreed with the fellow who asked, "But isn't there a more pastoral response to couples who are financially stressed?" 
I can't quote the fellow, of course, but I remember he insisted the official teaching is a pastoral response. Anything else would dismiss the challenge of faith which everyone must embrace. Nobody said it should be easy to be human or Christian. 
I was reminded of this lately, in my reading of a current philosopher. He sees the "medicalization" of moral issues as diminishing human dignity. If we regard persons who do evil things as sick rather than wicked we dismiss their culpability; and we patronize their foolishness. Even this ritual of murder/suicide can be dismissed as the most unfortunate behavior of a sick mind, rather than a crime which cries out to heaven for justice. 


But condemning sin as sinful, and rebuking the sinner for his evil behavior (which is also foolish by every standard that matters), we hold before him the opportunity of renouncing his evil ways. While the sinner may have habits of bad thinking, speaking and acting -- which of us hasn't? -- and it will take much courage, patience and persistence to break the habits, we do no one any favors when we overlook them or forgive them too readily. 
The comfort God offers through the prophets Isaiah and John the Baptist is the demand that we pull up our socks and act according to the principles built into our human nature. 
Often in our homes and  churches, for the sake of peace, we just "let it pass." We had a big fight yesterday; we'll not speak of it today. It will pass. 


That's not God's word; he says "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." 

Isaiah was speaking to the Jewish people in Babylon, assuring them that their exile is drawing to an end; they have suffered long enough; they may return home to rebuilt the ruined city. 

But God does not apologize for punishing them, as if the exile were a big mistake and let's just forget about it. Rather, their guilt has been expiated first by their suffering; and secondly, by their fidelity under very trying circumstances; they are forgiven. 

As we march forward into Advent and Christmas, we should not forget our guilt. Those who forget, or get over, their  sinful behavior, are doomed to repeat it. Rather, we remember with both shame and gratitude that God has seen fit to forgive us through the Blood of Jesus Christ.