2nd Sunday of Advent Year C.
Readings: Baruch 5:1-9, Phil. 1:4-6,8-11, and Lk. 3:1-6.
“Prepare the Road for the Master.”
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
1. One of the things that marvels me in this country is the road network. The designs of the road network, the machines used, the technical know-how, and the driving lights to create order and smoothness in driving. It even puzzles me the more when I observed the Rail Ways over hills, over roads, down the valleys; well designed to ensure safety in traveling. Yes, many hills and rocks were pulled and put down.
2. This reflects the message we have in today’s liturgy, the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year C. In our first reading from the book of the Prophet Baruch, we are told: “For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.” In the gospel text, we are told that the Word of God came to John the son of Zechariah, in the desert. He (John), went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; he re-echoed the word of the prophet Baruch, like that of the prophet Isaiah in essence. A voice of one crying in the desert: “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
3. The Advent journey began last week. We recounted the various expectations of a Christian which we summarize as:
- Prayer.
- Reconciliation.
- Love of God and neighbor.
- Corporal works of mercy.
- Spiritual works of mercy.
- Generosity. And
- Intensification of the reading of Scriptures/Spiritual books.
4. John used the image of the road to show how we can either encourage or put a barrier on God’s entrance into our lives. We have the duty to level off our sharp peaks of pride, selfishness, stubbornness or blind ambitions which become mountain-sized obstacles between God and ourselves. Are you humbled enough to accept the wrongs you have done, to take to corrections, and be shown the way to follow? Are you proud in the way you talk or treat others? Do you make others feel less important and see them as such?
5. Crooked ways in us need be straightened. We may need to answer the following questions: do I cheat others at times? Do I even steal? Do I deal well with people? Do I owe people when I can pay them? Do I tell lies to people? Holes to be filled in: Am I patient enough with my wife, husband, children, neighbors, colleagues and others? Am I generous enough to those who ask for my support or who need my help?
6. We must evaluate our Christian life and be true to ourselves. As you evaluate the fiscal year which is about to end at the end of this month, include your spiritual life. What grade can you honestly give yourself with regards to matters of faith? Always remember that when all is achieved in whatever form or way, our destination is Eternal Life in Heaven. We must resolutely aim at getting there – cooperating with God’s graces in utilizing all the means that He has given us in the Church most especially the celebration of the Sacraments.
7. The material preparations for Christmas are often more glaring than the spiritual preparation. Everyone is so concerned about the food, the drinks, the clothing, the gifts and the decorations. They are not bad; they are one side of the same coin; the other side is the spiritual preparations as listed in paragraph 3, above.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, beloved friends, Christmas will have meaning to us only if we have prepared well for it. At this moment in time, start doing something if you have not started. Ask yourself questions and identify the mountains, hills and valleys in your life as well as winding paths and sincerely do something about them. The prayer of St. Paul to the Philippians is made mine to you in these words: “that your love may increase ever more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.” To God be the glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Anthony D. Lawir,
Pastor, St. Agnes, and Our Lady of the Snows Parishes, Pittsfield and Dexter.