December 9, 2012 – Second Sunday of Advent
Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6
Today marks the second Sunday of Advent, and so we await the celebration of Christmas, and await the coming of the Lord. But this waiting is not a passive time. We wait in joyful hope, and during this time, we are called to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming — both for our celebration of His first coming at Christmas, and for the time when He will come again at the end of the world.
For most of us, the Advent season is filled with preparations. We’re buying gifts, decorating our homes, and baking and cooking up a storm. We are readying ourselves to celebrate Christmas with our family and friends. It is indeed a busy, yet joyous time.
This joyous preparation ought to extend into the depths of our hearts. Remember, we are not preparing to simply exchange gifts or even to just spend time with family and friends. We are preparing to celebrate the incarnation, God becoming man for our sake — one of the greatest mysteries of our Faith. At the same time, we are preparing to greet The Lord when He comes again. Therefore, we must spend time preparing spiritually.
Today’s scripture readings encourage us to prepare ourselves and to bear witness to the world of God’s greatness while we wait.
“Bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship” (first reading).
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight and the rough made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (gospel).
And, in the second reading, St. Paul tells us, “And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.”
Indeed, our lives should bear witness to the great things the Lord has done, and the things He continues to do. We are called to proclaim His praises boldly by the way we live our lives — giving Him glory in all we say and do.
As stewards, the Advent season is a wonderful time to refocus. Increase the time you spend in prayer, thanking God for the gift of Himself as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, thanking God for the innumerable gifts He has given us, and offering Him yourself in return. Recommit to live for Him. Then your life will surely bear witness of the mighty things He has done, and your heart will be ready to greet Him when He comes again.
