PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD
First Reading: Baruch 5:1-9
Second Reading: Philippians 1:4-6 and 8-11
Gospel Reading: Luke 3:1-6
Advent: Adventus in Latin means arrival or coming. Advent indicates the threefold coming of the Lord Jesus: the past, the present and the future. 1. The past: We remember the Lord's humble first coming which took place more than 2000 years ago at Bethlehem. 2. The present: We experience His present and continual coming through the Word of God and through the sacraments. 3. The future: We look forward to the final coming of the Lord in His glory.
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Baruch. Baruch gives a message of hope and gladness for the people of Israel who were under the slavery of Babylon. He assures them that they will return to Jerusalem in glory. Every mountain and hill will be leveled and valleys will be filled up for their return.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul instructs the Christian community there that God has created us for something good and that God's work in us will be completed. He urges them and us to abound in love and lead a pure and blameless life for the second coming of the Lord. He encourages them and us that they/we should not worry about the future because God will be with them/us.
John the Baptist's call for repentance Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. John the Baptist's invitation to prepare the way of the Lord is narrated. In view of the Lord's coming, John urges us to prepare the way for Christ by giving our lives a new orientation - a complete turnabout. The repentance that is asked of us is not merely a turning away from sin but rather a change of heart. Hence to repent would mean that we recognize our brokenness and our need for redemption by turning to God. Humankind in general is broken, fragmented, damaged and wounded by sin. Hence we need to recognize our own brokenness to be saved from this situation. John proclaims Jesus to be the one who will fulfill the prophecy of Prophet Isaiah that all humankind will see the salvation of God. To prepare for His coming John invites us to prepare the way of the Lord: by making His paths straight. All that prevents us from His smooth coming has to be done away with- valleys shall be filled, mountains and hills shall be leveled and crooked ways have to be made straight.
"The voice of the great Prophet asks us to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord in the deserts of today, internal and external deserts, thirsting for the water of life which is Christ." - Pope Benedict XVI
"Advent is the perfect time to clean and prepare the way." Edward Heys
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