December 6, 2020

“In today’s first reading, Isaiah calls us to be comforted and promises that our service and our guilt are over – that we will see together the glory of the Lord.  In the second reading from Peter, we are told of new heavens and a new earth.  And in the Gospel passage from Mark, the fruition of these promises is defined when John the Baptist declares that soon, baptized with the Holy Spirit, we will be ushered into a new kind of being.  It is our hope in the fulfillment of these promises that sustains us.”  At Home with the Word

“John the Baptist's life was fueled by one burning passion – to point others to Jesus Christ and to the coming of his kingdom.  Who is John the Baptist and what is the significance of his message for our lives?  Scripture tells us that John was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb (Luke 1:15, 41) by Christ himself, whom Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit.  When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, John leaped in her womb as they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41).

The fire of the Spirit dwelt in John the Baptist and made him the ‘precursor’ or ‘forerunner’ of the coming Messiah.  John was led by the Spirit into the wilderness prior to his ministry where he grew in the Word of God and was tested in preparation for his prophetic mission.  John's clothing was reminiscent of the prophet Elijah (see Kings 1:8).

John broke the prophetic silence of the previous centuries when he began to speak the Word of God to the people of Israel.  His message was similar to the message of the Old Testament prophets who reprimanded the people of God for their unfaithfulness and who tried to awaken true repentance in them.  Among a people unconcerned with the things of God, it was his work to awaken their interest, unsettle them from their complacency, and arouse in them enough good will to recognize and receive Christ when he came.  Are you eager to hear God's word and to be changed by it through the power of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus tells us that John the Baptist was more than a prophet (Luke 7:26).  John was the voice of the Consoler who is coming (John 1:23; Isaiah 40:1-3).  He completed the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah (Matthew 11:13-14).  What the prophets had carefully searched for and angels longed to see, now came to completion as John made the way ready for the coming of the Messiah, God's Anointed Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  With John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit begins the restoration to the human race of the "divine likeness", prefiguring what would be achieved with and in the Lord Jesus.

John's baptism was for repentance - turning away from sin and taking on a new way of life according to God's word.  Our baptism in Jesus Christ by water and the Spirit results in new birth and entry into God's kingdom as his beloved sons and daughters (John 3:5).  The Lord Jesus comes to baptize each one of us in his Holy Spirit so that we may walk in his truth and holiness and radiate the joy of the Gospel to all we meet.

God's Word has the power to change and transform our lives so that we may be lights that point others to Jesus Christ.  Like John the Baptist, we too are called to give testimony to the light and truth of Christ.  Do you point others to Jesus Christ in the way you live, speak, and treat others?" Laudate

“John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of Jesus.  But why was this preparation necessary in the first place?  Mark gives us a clue when he calls John’s baptism “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”.  John the Baptist knew that sin kept people far from God, so he offered them the only remedy to help them receive Jesus when he came: repentance and forgiveness.

During Advent, we too are preparing for the coming of the Messiah, and part of that preparation also involves repentance.  Like the people coming to the Jordan River, we know we have sinned and need forgiveness. And just as it did for them, repentance – even for minor sins – softens our hearts and opens us to Jesus and his grace.

How does this happen?  Repentance requires us to take a spiritual inventory of what needs to change in our lives – of where we have fallen short of God’s commands.  We don’t have to do this alone; if we ask him, the Holy Spirit will help us search our hearts and will gently reveal our sins to us.  Then, when we see where we have strayed, the Spirit helps us see how deeply we need his grace.  That causes us to go to Jesus more often and cling to him more tightly. When we experience God cleansing us of our sins, we can’t help but be filled with thanksgiving for his abundant love and for his unfailing, never-ending mercy.

So, make it a point to try to get to Reconciliation before Christmas.  Let repentance become a daily practice as well so that you can keep your conscience clean of all those sins that can pile up and obscure your relationship with Christ.  Repentance is powerful.  God will use it not only to cleanse you but to soften your heart and draw you closer to himself.”  Word Among Us

       As we begin this second week of Advent, we can look back at this year and say it has been ‘trying’ – to say the least.  And through all the uncertainty and craziness of this year, we all have much to be thankful for.  And what better way to show our thanks than by “preparing the way of the Lord”.  There are so many ways for us to “prepare”.  First and foremost is through repentance and forgiveness; this is available through the sacrament of Reconciliation.  With clean souls and happy hearts, we can prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ – the Savior of the world.

       As we prepare our homes with the usual festive lights, trees, wreaths, and favorite Christmas decorations – we should remember all the things that we have been blessed with.  The most important thing that we need to remember through all our preparation and celebrating is – ‘Jesus is the reason for the season’. 

Quite often during this time of year, I can get a little overwhelmed with the secular activities that seem to be everywhere, that I have to remind myself that it’s ok to be festive – as long as I leave time for reflection and prayer.  I thank God especially for my wife and daughter who often remind me to lighten-up and partake in the celebration along the way.  The key is finding a balance and keeping Jesus at the center of our life and our daily activities.

Advent is a season of hope, joy, love, and patiently waiting – waiting to celebrate the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is also a season of preparation and repairing broken relationships.  We are blessed with four weeks of the Advent season.  If you’re already feeling overwhelmed with decorating your home, planning meals and desserts, shopping for gifts, mailing Christmas cards and packages, and the list goes on and on…remember that the liturgical season of Christmas does not start until December 24^th.

So, make sure to take time to prepare the most important thing this Advent season – you.  Open up your Bible and read the infancy narratives.  If possible, get to daily Mass or Adoration once a week.  Clean your soul and mend broken relationships by making use of the sacrament of Reconciliation.  Pick up a book that will help deepen your faith and your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Above all – remember Advent is a season of ‘preparing the way of the Lord’.  It’s not too late to slow down and enjoy some quiet time with the Lord.  My prayer for each of you this Advent season is that the craziness of the past nine months will be replaced with hope and quiet preparation for the birth of the infant Jesus as we celebrate his coming to save each of us from our sins.

Prepare the way of the Lord.