Prepare a Way for the Lord

From the Catholic Liturgy for the Second Sunday of Advent. Gospel: Mark 1:1-8. Theme: Prepare a Way for the Lord  Both the Old Testament and Gospel readings for this Second Sunday of Advent carry the traditional Advent theme of preparation for the coming of the Messiah. The description of how to prepare the way found in these readings will make little to no sense to us unless we step back in time and grasp how people of those ancient days prepared for the visit of a Great Person.

The first thing we need to know about preparing the way is that in the Roman Empire of the time, when news came to a village that an Important Person or a Great Landlord Ruler was going to pay a visit, certain important steps of cultural protocol were followed.  A Herald was sent ahead of the Ruler to announce his future coming. His message was never ignored because it had great implications for their lives.  The Herald of Jesus was his cousin, St. John the Baptist. And just like the people of the Roman Empire, we need to attach great importance to the message of the herald because his words have great implications for our lives. He teaches us how to prepare the way.

The second thing we need to know is that the people of the ancient times took these words LITERALLY by filling in low spots in the road to their village and leveling off uneven terrain to make the journey of the Ruler and his entourage more pleasant.  The idea behind this was that the visitor would be so impressed he would grant them favors and show clemency once he arrived and began dealing with their disputes and issues.

So, todays’ liturgy gives us two things to do two things to do to prepare a way for the Lord into our lives this Advent: hear the message and put it into practice.

SO, what is the message of St. John the Baptist?
• To turn away from selfishness, from the refusal to love and show mercy;
• To admit that we need God in our lives to straighten things out;
• To open our hearts to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sends us.
Then, to we have to work hard on preparing the way, just like the people did in ancient times for the arrival of the Ruler. Let us spend some time during this Second Week of Advent honestly asking ourselves some questions.
• What in my life needs to be leveled out and made straight?
• What obstacles to the Lord for the pathway to my heart need to removed?
• Bad habits needing discipline?
• Addictions needing recovery?
• Family needing attention?
• The job needing to be kept in its time and place?
• Prayer and pondering the Gospel needing some of the time we spend on social media or         television?
Let’s ask for the intercession of St. John the Baptist to help us do what is needed to level the road and make straight the pathway of Christ to our hearts.  Let’s ask for the grace so that to take on a new way of thinking, a new way of looking at life, and a new way of living, that is an expression of our love for and obedience to Jesus, and so truly prepare the way.