Second Sunday of Advent (3)

Christ first told preach and teach not write it, though his authorities later chose too, starting with Conciliar letters, then to compiling what we now call the 4 Gospels

So if THE Gospel is not a book what is it?

Definition

Germanic translation of Greek Euangelion or Latin Evangelium

Got Spel (good word/message)

it is message of Christianity

History

First reading the word Gospel actually used twice in Isaiah (called by early Church fathers the 5th Gospel), and throughout Isaiah, including here it refers to a New Exodus of God’s triumph over death

During Christ time, Roman Empire had Euangelions or Gospels

proclomations to the world of the pax romanum either in

military victory,

enthroning of an emperor, or

the birth of a so-called savior god emperor.

So it is with the Gospel, but not for some passing earthly empire, but as prophesized by Daniel, the empire of God, the Church

New Exodus from slavery to death

proclamation of crushing victory over its enemy: sin, death, and devil

enthroning of Christ over all

And the birth of a real savior God ruler

Whats so Great?

Why proclaim at all? Why is Good News so great? Why not just make it present?

Think of Why Romans probably did it, slaw off and wash away all the corrupt human things about it and you will get picture

why pronounce military victories, roman emperor birth, and a new throne?

why not just have the victories, have the birth, and have the throne, why proclaim it?

so people can be governed

not governed just by making Rome present

we are governed by words first and foremost

when understand

Live by Word

words govern all (words in deeper meaning than the sound, but the thing that can be translated, meaning itself)

God created thru word

by word we created some of most powerful tools and weapons

not puting things together, but discovered universal words that govern universe and utilized them in applied physics

computer and AI show raw power of mere words

Our daily lifes are based on words we tell ourselves, for good or bad

Changes us

So hear word, change our very life, in most important way: our mind and souls

hear imperial gospel, suddenly:

start living less like a brute barbarian and live according to the pax romanum

commerce

fighting neighbors Roman rule

might join up

wash away all the lies of the Roman Gospel, and you get to the real Gospel

Hear the Gospel might start livign according to the pax Christi

economy of salvation

treating neighbor well

we will more readily join up

Cynics

Just like with Roman Gospel the barbarian might have rolled their eyes of it all being deceitful propaganda until the legions marched in fulfilment of their gospel, so is it with us.

we will not treat the Gospel as gospel unless we seek it, just like one would not like the Roman gospel unless they wanted to be with the Roman Empire.

Second Reading

Even now as second reading predicted through St. Peter, it seems long delayed that God’s legions marched on Earth, and so many begin to roll their eye at the Gospel as a bunch of Church propaganda

instead let us wisely receive the Gospel and begin living by it, signing up readily with the Empire of God so we can share in the victory already met and soon to be glorified.

Notes

WHAT MAKES GOOD NEWS SO GREAT?!?!

2 ways transmitted:

as Lord commanded: teach (often specifically proclaim)

one of the many ways they fulfilled command: written Scripture.

Gospels are 1

the whole faith

love God w/ all heart mind soul can be known by reason alone easily (as easily as unbiased reasoning is that is)

but 2 things not clear:

that we can achieve this, can obtain the Good, that is not clear and even looks impossible on reason alone

nor is loving neighbor as self rationally self-evident

Gospel we get to participate in divine life: becomes one of us, destroys our great REAL enemy: devil, sin, and death, and brings us up back with him

that is the Gospel

to have it must prepare the way

would it sound like good news if werent seeking Good?, probably jsut boring stuff if life about next pleasure, etc

if barbarian would roman Gospel sound good. Not only not good, but roll eye propaganda or even frightful

dont be barbarian.

is 40:9, 41:27, 52:7, 61:1 (news of freedom from exile)

imperial Rome

proclamations of birth of savior god emperor

proclamation of victory, so join the army

as we call the Church’s mission here on earth: Church militant.

Commentators

Malichi not Isaiah, is the first line

Pseudo-jerome

many rebuke well (love others) but dont correct self (hate self), others rebuke self (love self), but dont rebuke others (hate others)

Bede

John’s baptism did not forgive sins but promoted repentance

Gregory

locust like Jews, leapt to follow the Lord in heights, but quickly fell down again

you willingly take off (loose sandal) of man who refuses to marry a woman he has right to, that woman is your wife, so John not usurping role of bridegroom of mankind

Pitre

baptize at Jordan? weird since so much water baths in Jerusalem

echos exodus and Isaiah.