Prepare the Way for the Lord (Sunday, Advent 2, Year B)

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Introduction

On this 2nd Sunday of Advent, the readings urge us to make serious preparations for the coming of the Lord. And the only way we can prepare adequately for His coming is by repenting from our sins. 


Reflection 

By this time three years ago, I was in Lagos. A day after my arrival in Lagos, I observed that people were out in their numbers in the streets cleaning gutters, mowing lawns, cleaning the environment; and some others whose houses are close to the roads were even repainting their houses. I asked, “What is it about to happen?” And I was told that the Oba (the King) of Lagos would visit that area very soon. Just because an ordinary earthly king was being expected, massive preparations were going on. I told myself, “If people could prepare for the coming of an ordinary earthly king in such a manner, then a lot more must be done for the coming of the King of kings.

In the gospel (Mark 1:1-8), there is a voice too powerful and loud to be ignored: the voice of John the Baptist. His was a peculiar voice with a strong message: “Prepare the way for the Lord, make His path straight!” He was not the first to proclaim that message. Centuries before he prophesied, Isaiah had proclaimed the same message in order to comfort the people of Judah who were languishing in exile in Babylon on account of their sins. The suffering people of Judah longed for salvation, for redemption and for freedom. Yes, Isaiah consoled them (cf. Isa. 40:1-5.9-11) that their warfare is ended. However, he urged and challenged them that salvation does not come to those who do not work for it. And that is why he said, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for the Lord, fill and lift up every valley and level every mountain, hill and rough places. Isaiah went further to make them understand that it is only after all these are done that the glory of the Lord shall be revealed to them. In other words, for the exiled people of Judah to behold the light of their salvation and to see the glory of their redeemer-king, they must be ready for a serious work: the work of repentance.

Preparing a way for the Lord, making straight in the desert a highway for Him, filling up valleys and leveling every mountain, hill and rough places are different ways of saying one thing: REPENT! In this Advent as we expect the coming of Christ the King of kings, we are not expected to physically clear the lawns, work our roads, clean gutters, fill up potholes and so on in preparation for His coming. No! Lest we forget, Christ is not coming to be entertained in physical structures. He is coming to be entertained in our hearts, minds and consciences. So, all clearing, cleaning, leveling and filling must be done in the heart, in the conscience, in the innermost self. In the second reading (2 Peter 3:8-14), St Peter made it abundantly clear that what the Lord wishes or desires is that you and I should reach repentance. 

On this Second Sunday of Advent, the Lord our King once again sends John the Baptist His messenger to preach to us a baptism of repentance, to passionately call and appeal to us to “prepare the way for the Lord, to make His paths straight!” Let us get down for serious work, serious heart cleansing and conscience repair. There may be potholes of indifference and apathy in our hearts and minds that must be filled up with positive zeal for the things of God! Why? Because the King is coming! In our hearts and minds, there may be lofty mountains of jealousy, envy and wickedness that should be brought down! Why? Because the King is coming! There may be a pile of vices that might be suffocating our hearts. These too must be cleared! Why? Because the King is coming! If these are not done, then we are not ready to partake of the salvation that would be brought by the Redeemer, not ready to experience His glory, and not ready to enjoy His gift of peace! The candle of peace is burning, and it is calling us to work for peace by distancing ourselves from vices, wickedness or anything that works against peace. Those who do not work for peace cannot live in peace. Let us sincerely repent from our wicked ways and we shall experience the saving power of the Lord!        


  

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