Prepare the Way of the Lord!

Scripture readings for today's reflections on the 2nd Sunday of Advent can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120714.cfm

Our readings for this 2nd Sunday of Advent teaches us about our need for God and our relationship with Him. In the gospel for today, we hear of John the Baptist, probably one of the most famous prophets in scripture. His calling (or vocation) was to prepare the way of the Lord and to encourage the people of his time to repent and turn towards God in a spirit of true repentance. In the gospel, we read that John appeared in the desert, "proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (Mark 1:4) People were flocking to him and seeking the forgiveness of God. They were thirsty for that peace that can only come from relationship with God. John, being the forerunner of the Lord, Jesus Christ, pointed out that “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7)

John must have been a captivating figure out there in the desert, dressed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. What was it about John that attracted so many people to him? John's strength came from the fact that he wasn't afraid to speak the truth about the fact that God needs to be first and foremost in our lives. We need to live honestly with God, to know, love and serve Him, and to love those in our lives that God has placed around us. In living this way, we can be "found without spot or blemish before him, at peace." (2 Peter 3:14)

John knew that people were troubled by what they had done or maybe what they had failed to do in their relationships with God and with others, and so he invited them to get closer to God by seeking the forgiveness of God. He knew Jesus was coming and pointed towards Jesus to receive that forgiveness and peace that can only come from God.

Because Jesus did come as a human being, God knows from the inside all the temptations we face and that they do not have to ruin our lives. Overcoming temptations sometimes means that we need to change. We know what it is to be in trouble, and we can know what it is to be safe. As Isaiah said of God, "Like a shepherd, he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom." (Isaiah 40:11) This is the good news that Jesus brings us.

Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!