“A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the Lord!” This line from the first reading on this Second Sunday of Advent, invites us to go into the desert to prepare a way for God’s coming. Now most of us don’t have the luxury of going to an actual desert, but we can create a desert space in our hearts and in our lives. In that desert space, apart from the noise and busyness of the world around us, we can enter into silence. That silence will enable us to go to the deepest part of our being and encounter God. If we truly surrender to the silence, God’s presence will fill us, bringing comfort, healing and truth. We will emerge from our desert place more aware of God’s kingdom in our world, and what we can do to make the kingdom come every day. In other words, God comes to us, transforms us and uses us as channels of that transforming love.
In the second reading, Peter exhorts us to conduct ourselves “in holiness and devotion.” Holiness is not becoming a perfect person without faults or frailties. Holiness is the struggle to conform our lives to the Gospel; to live in the world according to Gospel values. This is not always easy and God knows that. But, God requires us to be faithful to the effort even though at times we may fail. Then, like John the Baptist in our Gospel reading, we will cry out to our world, ”Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Hopefully, not only will our lives be a gift for Jesus on Christmas day, but so will the lives of those we have touched by our Gospel living.
Sr. Josephine Aparo, MPF
Copyright © 2008
Be watchful; be alert! This is Jesus’ exhortation to all of us on this First Sunday of Advent. This sets the theme for our preparation for Christmas, for the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
In today’s gospel Jesus compares himself to a man who leaves his business in the hands of his workers while he goes away. Upon his return, the man expects to find things have progressed and the business has been successful. So too, does Jesus. His business is the kingdom and he has left the building up of that kingdom in our hands. Advent is a time to take stock of how we are doing. Building up the kingdom requires faithfulness to gospel living. Are our homes and communities places of generosity, forgiveness, compassion and love? Are we visible signs of the love of God for our world?
Of course there will be times when we fail but the first reading attests to God’s unfailing mercy. When we turn to God, that same God can take the clay we are made of and mold it and reshape it into a vessel of service. In the second reading, St. Paul confirms this by telling us that God has graced us with countless blessing. Therefore we can stand firm in our resolution to serve our God.
During these coming weeks, we will be preparing for the greatest birthday of all times, the birthday of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our redeemer. What gift can we give for such great love? We can make a greater effort to build up the Kingdom of God in our lives and in the world around us. We do this by turning away from sin and living a life of justice, compassion and gentleness, allowing God to mold us into a beautiful gift for the Son whose birthday we will celebrate soon.
Watch! Wait! Be alert!
Sr. Josephine Aparo, MPF
Copyright © 2008
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