10.12.2023 – Villanueva del Arzobispo – Iznatoraf (Jaén)  

Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11, Psalm 84: 9-14, 2Peter 3:8-14, Mark 1:1-8

We celebrate today the Second Sunday of Advent. Remember as we said last week that Advent means the preparation for the coming of the Lord: the first coming (Christmas) and the second coming (the parousia). Today´s readings draw our attention to the question of how we can effectively prepare for the coming of the Lord.

We can quickly notice a reoccurrence of some phrases in today´s readings for instance: “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Isaiah, Mark), The day of the Lord (2Peter), Repentance, Forgiveness, Confession of sins (Isaiah, 2Peter, Mark).

Unfortunately, the theme of repentance is a topic that is no longer emphasized. This is because we live in a world whereby the concept of sin is seriously played down. We live in a society where religious tolerance and coexistence means compromise to our faith and moral values. Sometimes, we are too used to sin, we are too familiar with sin that we think that they cease to be sin anymore by that very fact of our overfamiliarity with it. On this Second Sunday of Advent, the message is clear and loud, that we cannot prepare for the coming of the Lord if we don’t repent of our sins, confess our sins and forgive one another.

That is the message of the voice that cries in the desert, that is the message of Advent: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” We prepare the way of the Lord, by first repenting (acknowledging and recognizing our sins, feeling sorry for them, contrition, resolving to make amends), then confessing them through the sacrament of reconciliation, and forgiving those who have offended us (those whom we keep malice with, those whom we don’t ever want to set our eyes on, those who have injured us gravely in the past).

When the Prophet Isaiah says in the first reading: “See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” He is referring to the reality of the Day of the Lord. A day of divine reward and recompense. The Apostle Peter in the second reading makes us understand that the Day of the Lord is delayed because God gives us time to repent and so be ready to meet him when he comes.

So, let us not make a mess of this time of grace, let us not be found wanting when the day of the Lord finally dawns. The time to prepare is now. And we prepare by keeping our house (our hearts) in order through true repentance and conversion. Authentic repentance, conversion is not a once and for all event, it happens daily, it needs our daily response and is a gradual process of purification for the day of the Lord.

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. Amen.

Valentine Umoh

10.12.2023