In this second Sunday of Advent, in this season of renewal and spiritual
reinvigoration, we hear a powerful message from one of the central figures of the season: John the Baptist. John clamors: “prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” We were told that this message of repentance or this call to conversion from John the Baptist happened in the wilderness, in the desert – a place of solitude, of silence, of quiet, a place where there was not a lot of distractions. In the Scriptures, the wilderness or the desert has a very important meaning – it is a place of renewal, a place where we are able to confront ourselves with our deepest realities because there’s nothing to do – no gadgets, no tv, no internet. The stillness and the silence of the place unmasks us from the layers and layers of things that we have put on to redefine our identities. The place then, where this message of repentance emanates or comes from, is significant. Usually in this time of year, we can easily be distracted by the glitters of the season. This is a very busy time for shopping and parties. There are distractions from left to right. It’s hard to enter with John the Baptist into the wilderness or into the desert when our
schedules and calendars are pushing us to the stores, holiday sales and parties. And, if we are not careful, Advent can fly by without even making a small dent in our lives. That’s why the message of the Gospel today is very important because it brings us to the heart of our Advent preparation, using the words of John the Baptist, “prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”
“Make straight his paths” by entering first into the wilderness and there asking ourselves in the stillness and silence: What are the things that hinder me to make a straight path for the Lord? Vices? Addictions? Resentment? Unforgiveness? What are the things that stress me right now that don’t allow me to make a worthy room for the Child Jesus?
One of my fond memories of home during this time of the year is our family used to schedule one weekend when we decorated for the Christmas season. We always agreed on a particular weekend when everyone needed to be there because we had to move heavy furniture around. The sofa needed to be moved from one side of the living room to the other to make room for the Christmas decorations. It was almost a full day of work after all the lights and lanterns were installed. But, it was a meaningful process of transforming the place. As we got older and my siblings and I started to move out from the home, I thought my Mom would prefer much simpler decorations. I told her “just put simple things that would be easy to put away afterwards.” But no, she continued the same routine, and when I asked why and suggested a more low key decoration, she said “No, we have to make room for the season.” Same thing with our spiritual life — we have to make room for Jesus, and if it means moving around the “set” furniture inside our heart, if it entails the re-orientation of habits and priorities, if it means pushing outside our comfort zones, let’s do it to transform the house of our being and truly be ready to receive the Child King, who wants to set his throne in each of our hearts.
Again, find your wilderness…and in there, we will know what “furniture” to move around or to get rid of in our hearts, to make room for Jesus. The Collect or the opening prayer today summarizes the Gospel message from John Baptist in a beautiful way — listen to it again and make it truly your own: “Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.” Do you have a specific earthly
undertaking right now that stops you from being admitted to the company of God? ~ Fr. Cary