The second week of Advent: ‘PREPARE A WAY FOR THE LORD’

Now we see and hear the second sign, or marker, on our journey.

A deacon lights candles on the Advent wreath. The second Sunday of Advent falls on Dec. 10 this year. (CNS photo/Jaclyn Lippelmann, Catholic Standard) (Courtesy photo of Jaclyn Lippelmann)

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of Advent reflections that were first published in The Evangelist in 2018.

Last week we began our series to help guide us through the short season of Advent. We reflected together about how the season is rather like a journey: a structured time given to us, so as to help us prepare for the coming or “advent” of Jesus Christ. Also, last week, we were given our first signpost, or marker, on this journey: How we are to watch and wait for the Lord. 

This week, we see and hear the second sign, or marker, on our journey. St. John the Baptist appears and commands us to “… prepare a way for the Lord … make straight his paths” (Mark 1: 1-8). It was certainly the mission of St. John the Baptist to do just that: to prepare a way for the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. However, even though Jesus has come, St. John’s message still has great value and we too also have a mission to prepare a way for the Lord. As a third-century writer called Origen put it this way: “I think the mystery of John is still being carried out in the world. If we are to believe in Jesus Christ, the spirit and power of John must first come into our hearts and prepare for the Lord a perfect people, making the rough ways of our heart smooth and making the crooked straight.” So, what does all this mean and how are we to do it?

The answer lies in those two words “prepare” and “way.” Let us take a closer look at that first word “prepare.” If we think about it, we spend quite a bit of our life in preparing for all sorts of things, whether it is for a mid-term exam or quiz, or the next sporting event, or for a visitor, or family event such as a new baby or an anniversary, to give just a few examples. How do we do this? It may involve study or practice: sharpening up our knowledge, skills and awareness. It could involve preparing the house for visitors by cleaning up, or getting a guest room ready, or cooking ahead of time. It might also mean pausing and reflecting: preparing mentally and spiritually for the task or project ahead.

These images easily can be translated into how we prepare in a spiritual sense; so as to be able to recognize Jesus when he comes. Then we want to welcome the Lord and to let him enter into our hearts. As with our everyday preparations (whatever these may be), all this involves effort and focus. We might need to sharpen up our faith knowledge and spiritual skills, helped by the sacraments, God’s Word and our prayer time. It might also require that we clean up our house (that is our heart and soul) in some way, perhaps helped by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It will certainly mean spending time in prayer and reflection. So, Advent really is a special time when we can be energized and prepare for the coming of the Lord.

So far, so good, but we also need to look at that second word “way.” The phrase “prepare a way for the Lord” also has the image of a way or a journey. It reminds us that the Lord travels or journeys to us. But what if that way or road to us is blocked somehow; what if there is something blocking God’s path to us? As our Gospel puts it, do we need to “make straight” the path of the Lord to us? Advent, like Lent, is a season of preparation and part of this preparation is conversion and penance. (This is one reason why we use the liturgical color of violet/purple both for Lent and for Advent … it is the color of penance and of renewed conversion). As part of preparations then, we need to take a serious look at what might be “blocking” or making crooked our relationship with God and, with God’s help, to make sure that that blockage or those obstacles are removed. It could be a familiar fault or failing, or a less than active or vibrant prayer life, or a long held resentment or hurt. Any of these, and so many more, can act like roadblocks: a barrier for us to be open and welcoming to the Lord as He comes to us. As mentioned above, let us remember that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a great way to unblock things.

So, unlike St. John the Baptist, we do not need to live in the desert, or to dress in camel skin clothes, or to live on a diet of honey and locusts (although this could be the latest diet fad … who knows?)! However, we do need to “prepare a way for the Lord,” both for ourselves and also to help others to do the same. May the Lord bless us and help us as we, and our families and friends, prepare a way for God, or, as that well-known hymn puts it:

Hark, a herald voice is calling,

“Christ is nigh,” it seems to say;

“Cast away the dreams of darkness,

O you children of the day.”

Father Barratt is the director of the Office of Prayer and Worship, episcopal vicar for the Hudson Valley Vicariate, a member of the Presbyteral Council & College of Consultors and pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Hudson-Germantown — all for the Diocese of Albany — and adjunct professor at Siena College and St. Bernard’s Postgraduate School of Theology and Ministry in Albany.