In 586BC, the Babylonians, under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar, attacked and conquered the city of Jerusalem. The city and its temple were destroyed and many of its people were taken to Babylon in captivity. For more than 50 years, the Jews lived in exile in a foreign land. Then, in 539BC, a Persian king, Cyrus conquered Babylon. A year later, he issued a decree saying that the Jews could "go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel."

Many Jews attributed the end of the exile to Cyrus. But in the first reading, the prophet Isaiah reminds the people that there is a more fundamental cause for the end of the exile. Isaiah announces the Good News that Israel is freed from exile not because of human doing, but because of God's decree. For God, the people of Israel had atoned for their sins, and were now ready to return home.

Many centuries later, another Good News is announced when John the Baptist proclaims the coming of the Messiah. Unlike many people, he sees the coming of Jesus as more than just another human event. He attributes a more fundamental cause for the coming of Jesus, that is, the Son of God has come to save his people. John's mission is to prepare the people to receive Jesus.

What about us? Do we view the coming of Jesus as a human event or another activity in the Church's calendar? Are we seriously preparing ourselves to welcome the Lord or have we lost the sense of urgency in waiting for him.