country of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the
High Priests at that time when the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John proclaimed a baptism for repentant people to obtain forgiveness of sins and he went
through the whole country bordering the Jordan River. It was just as is written in the book of the
prophet Isaiah: listen to this voice crying out in the desert: prepare the way of the Lord, make his
path straight. The valleys will be filled and the mountains and hills made low. Everything crooked
will be made straight and the rough paths smooth; and every human being will see the salvation
of God.

READ: It was the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius. Pontius Pilate ruled over Judea.
Herod (Antipas) reigned in Galilee while his brother Philip ruled over Iturea and Trachonitis.
Lysanias reigned in Abilene. At that time, the High Priests were Annas and Caiaphas. It was at
that time when John (the Baptist), son of Zechariah, appeared, proclaiming the baptism of
repentance. John went through the whole region, bordering the Jordan River. He proclaimed to
the people to make straight the path and prepare the way of the Lord.

REFLECT: Luke’s Gospel is perceived to have three introductions: the formal Prologue
(cf. Lk 1:1-4), theInfancy Narrative (Lk 1:5–2:52) and what some commentators believe to be the
original introduction (Lk3:1-6). Today’s pericope is the third of these introductions. This passage
basically follows the Markanmaterial. The Gospel of Mark begins with the preaching of John the
Baptist. The Gospel for today also contains the proclamation of John the Baptist. Luke, however,
mentions the name of Zechariah, John’sfather (cf. Infancy Narrative). This is preceded by names
of historical figures. Luke seems to situate his version of the gospel in a historical setting. He
accentuates the fact that God, through his Son Jesus Christ, entered history. In this Advent season,
we are called to be more aware of God’s continuous interventions in history, both communal
and personal.

PRAY: Let us pray that we may become more aware of God’s presence in our personal and
communal history.

ACT: Be brave enough to be reconciled with a family member, friend, or neighbor by forgiving
past wrongs.

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