Advent Gospel Reflection for December 9th

Second Sunday – Prepare a way for the Lord…

Prepare a Way for the Lord in Advent

God’s Messengers

The Jewish People of the Old Testament had been promised that the Messiah, the Chosen One of God would come to deliver and save them from oppression and slavery. They were told through the Prophets, God’s messengers, that God would always be with them. Sadly over the generations, they had lost faith and hope in this message. They in fact, had turned away from God and forgotten that God had indeed has saved them and was always guiding and leading them.

Forgotten Promise

By the time of Jesus, the people had almost completely forgotten the promise, the Covenant that God had made with them. They were now being ruled and governed by the Romans and they longed for a new ruler, one of their own who would overthrow the Romans and create a new Jewish empire. God had never forgotten them; the Messiah was coming, but not the sort of Messiah they wanted. God had an altogether different plan for them.

This Sunday in the gospel we meet and hear from the great messenger and Prophet; John the Baptist. Before Jesus arrives, John is the last of the Prophets of the Old Testament. The Prophets had a very important role in the lives of God’s People. They came to remind the people that God had neither abandoned or forgotten them. They came to challenge the people because of the way they were living and treating each other; often unfairly and unjustly. Lastly, they came with a message of hope for the future; God’s Chosen One, the Messiah would come eventually in God’s time and in God’s way, not theirs. So John the Baptist comes to challenge and to encourage the people. He came preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

An Invitation

We don’t normally experience Advent as penitential time, but it is, just as Lent is. Advent calls us to prepare to celebrate Christmas as best we can. Perhaps reflecting prayerfully on the quality of daily lives is part of this preparation. This need not be difficult or painful. We are invited to return to our loving and forgiving God who will welcome and embrace us tenderly and compassionately. Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation could be a very enriching and fruitful way of getting ready for Christmas.

And a challenge?

Perhaps this is what the second part of John’s message means to us during these Advent days; he calls, invites and challenges us to prepare a way for the Lord. As well as preparing for Christmas by shopping and getting our homes ready, we could also take some time to get ourselves ready at a prayer and spiritual level too. What in my own daily life needs changing and improving? Is there someone in my family or a colleague in work to whom I am being asked to say sorry and apologise?

This week as we take another step on our Advent Journey may we do whatever we can to prepare a way for the Lord, whether at home, in school or at work.

-Br Michael Moore OMI