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
