Preparing for Christ
Since Advent is a
season of hope, then perhaps this would be a good time to ask God to help us
put aside any obstacles in our lives that prevent us from fully welcoming
Christ in each person. The Psalmist says: Those who are sowing in tears will
sing when they reap. We need to have a vision of what could be. We know that when
we are looking forward to something it can help to change the present difficult
situation that we live in. Hope can dramatically affect the life that we are
now living.
When we are around
hopeful people then life is different. Isolation is a trap that we have to
avoid. If we cut ourselves off from people that see differently, we may become
very narrow minded and lose the ability to imagine that things could be
different. Advent is a season when we are encouraged to dream and hope...to
imagine what could be.
Advent – week 2 –
John the Baptist
Who is John the
Baptist and what is the significance of his message for our lives? In dramatic
fashion Luke tells us when John came on the world scene. The world's rulers
paled in reference to this son of a priest whose task was to make the way for
the King who is above all other kings. John stood at a pivotal juncture in the
history of God's dealing with his people. He bridged the Old and New
Testaments. John was a prophet, a spokesman for God. "The word of God came
to John in the wilderness." John was pre-eminently the servant of the
Word, the Word of God who became flesh for our sake and for our salvation. Why
was he in the wilderness? John was called from an early age to devote himself
to prayer and to the word of God. God taught him in the solitude of the desert
and prepared him for a prophetic ministry to turn the hearts of his people to
receive their long-awaited Messiah. He is the last of the Old Testament
prophets who point the way to the coming of the Messiah. He is the first of the
New Testament witnesses and martyrs who suffered on account of his witness
to Christ.
When a king toured
his kingdom, he sent his courier ahead to prepare the way. John is the courier
of the Messianic King who comes to usher in the kingdom or reign of God. Isaiah
had long ago prophesied the role of the Forerunner of the Messiah. John
undoubtedly took this word to heart as he searched the scriptures and reflected
on the word of the Lord in the wilderness. How does one prepare for the coming
of the King and his heavenly kingdom? By conversion – turning our hearts and
minds from sin and rebellion, indifference and skepticism, to trust and
obedience to God's word. Luke's gospel emphasizes the universal call of the
gospel to all peoples without distinction. He quotes from the prophet Isaiah
that "all flesh shall see the salvation of God." John stood at the
door of a new era of grace and salvation. He saw from a distance what Jesus the
Messiah would accomplish through his death and resurrection – pardon for our
sins and eternal life for all who would believe in his name.
I hope you all have a
great week!
Fr. Phil
