Homilies

2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT: PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE STRAIGHT HIS PATHS

WHEN A FOREIGN Head of State visits the country, there are always preparations being done by the government. This preparation has something to do with the security of a visiting leader and his entourage. Before, the preparations include beautifying the places and covering the eyesores, like the slum areas. The preparation was something physical. But when Pope Francis visited the country in 2015, the preparation of the Church was not something physical, but rather spiritual. The Church offered and recited a prayer for the success of the Pope’s visit.

The second Sunday of Advent introduces us the person of John the Baptist.  Isaiah prophesied him as a “voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." John’s preparation for the coming of Jesus was not aesthetics or physical beautification. He calls for a spiritual preparation. Let us reflect on the person of John who is the great precursor of Jesus.

Firstly, John was a man of truth. He proclaimed a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. This is the truth that people should come to terms with. A spiritual preparation is crucial and important for the coming of the Messiah or the Lord. The response of the people to this call of conversion was noteworthy. The gospel says that people came to John, acknowledged their sins, and have themselves baptized by him. People were docile and obedient.

Nowadays, preaching has become all the more challenging. It is difficult because most people don’t seem to listen to homilies that deal on “truth”.  These people do not want to be reminded of sins and sinfulness. However, today’s preachers need the quality of John. They should not only be men of truth, but also men of courage. The call to holiness should not be compromised. They should continue to preach conversion even if only a few people care to listen.

Secondly, John was a witness. His witnessing can be seen in his simplicity of life. The gospel describes that John “was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey”.  His simplicity can be found in the clothing that he wore and in the food that he ate. He was different from the preachers of his time. As a result of his witness, people came to him, believe in him, and obeyed him.

In the same way, people of today are taking a closer look also at the preachers or leaders. They would only listen to them if preachers and leaders live what they preach. In other words, they are witnesses.

Thirdly, John was a man of humility. Despite his seeming popularity, John did not bank on it. Rather, he remained humble. He proclaimed, "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals”.  John was aware of his role and the limits of his role. He knew who he was in relation to Jesus. That made him a man of humility. He knew fully well that he was not the star. The real star was Jesus, and for that reason, he remains humble.

Advent season is an invitation to conversion. We need to be humble before God. This humility would mean the capacity to admit our sins and sinfulness. The preaching of repentance by John remains relevant. The celebration of Christmas can only be meaningful if we have done the necessary preparations. Again, our preparation should not only be external and aesthetic. Most of us spending time decorating our houses. That is fine. But this external or physical preparation should also be coupled with an inner or spiritual preparation that involves repentance or conversion. AMEN.

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