SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C
1st Reading: Baruch 5:1-9; 2nd Reading: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Gospel: Luke 3:1-6.
Today is the second Sunday of Advent. We are invited by St. John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord. To make the rough and crooked roads straight in the desert for God. Level every mountain and fill up the valleys/potholes.” In other words, to repair our deplorable spiritual roads. Many rich people, especially those in the corridors of power, avoid road travel due to insecurity or the horrible state of most roads. Instead, they prefer to travel by air for security purposes, comfort, and a fast journey.
Just as we seek smooth and secure paths in our physical travels, we are called to prepare our spiritual paths for the Lord. This preparation is essential for welcoming the peace and joy that Christ brings. Join us as we reflect on how we can repair our deplorable spiritual roads.
THE DEPLORABLE STATE OF MOST OF OUR ROADS
Regrettably, most of our roads, especially those in rural areas, are in a deplorable or miserable state. Those who travel on them regularly face discomfort from incessant delays at military checkpoints, numerous potholes, traffic jams, banditry, kidnapping, etc. Some roads seem abandoned, deteriorating each year. Most of the time, the contracts to fix some of these bad roads may have been awarded to a contractor. But some contractors use inferior materials (asphalt or bitumen) for the project to have more profit. While others connive and squander the funds, abandoning the project to continue to dilapidate.
However, if any important dignitary (president, minister, governor, etc.) were to come for an official visit in that locality, the contractors or Ministry of Works would wake up from their slumber and hurriedly fix the roads overnight to impress their August visitor and possibly to gain cheap popularity. So, if this kind of clever preparation to welcome and please the earthly dignitaries is possible, then why is it that we are not enthusiastic about fixing our dilapidated spiritual roads for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?
GOD’S PROMISE OF DIVINE INTERVENTION
In the first reading, Baruch, a friend and secretary of the prophet Jeremiah, prophesied about God’s glorious future and merciful intervention for humanity. He encouraged the exiled Jews that their sorrows and afflictions would end. God’s peace and glory would manifest in their lives if they accepted His righteousness. He urged them to repair all deplorable roads, fill valleys, and level mountains to embrace God’s light, mercy, and righteousness.
Moreover, this promise of divine intervention is also echoed in the words of the prophet Isaiah, who proclaimed, “For I am about to do something new. I will make a way through the wilderness and create rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). The passage reassures us that God is actively working to transform our lives, bringing hope and renewal even in the most desolate circumstances. By aligning ourselves with His will and preparing our hearts, we open the way for His transformative power to bring about a new beginning, filled with His peace and glory.
A CALL TO PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD
The gospel presents St. John the Baptist as fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the Messiah: “A voice cries out, prepare the way for the LORD, make a straight highway in the desert for our God. Every valley shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall become level. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken (Isaiah 40:3-5).”
John emphasizes the need to rebuild our spiritual roads, making crooked paths straight in preparation for Jesus Christ. These are not physical roads but spiritual ones. So, our mountains of pride and hatred should be leveled with spiritual asphalts of humility and love. Our valleys of corruption, dishonesty, fraud, injustice, nepotism, wickedness, tribalism, immorality, etc., should be filled with spiritual bitumen of honesty, philanthropy, generosity, justice, equity, fairness, righteousness, etc.
LOVE AND REPENTANCE: THE EASIEST WAYS TO WELCOME CHRIST
In the second reading, St. Paul joyfully prays for the Philippians to abound in love and knowledge of God. To remain pure and blameless for Christ’s day, filled with fruits of righteousness through Jesus Christ. This perfection involves continual growth in acts of charity to our neighbours, especially those in dire need of our help.
Moreover, experiencing God’s glory requires repentance and forgiveness. So, we are called to purify our hearts through genuine repentance and forgiveness (Isaiah 1:18–20). Repentance is not a change of one’s religion but a complete change of heart to love others sincerely as proof of our love for God. When we have genuine repentance, we make the way smooth for Jesus Christ to be born anew in our lives.
CONCLUSION
Dearly beloved, we are called to prepare the way of the Lord since no one knows the hour of His second coming. Just as we invest in repairing physical roads to facilitate smooth travel, we are called to mend the deplorable pathways of our souls. By uprooting the weeds of sin, pride, distraction, and selfishness, we can pave the way for the Lord’s arrival. Of course, this spiritual renovation involves a profound transformation of our hearts and minds.
Therefore, we must embrace humility, practice forgiveness, and extend love to our neighbors. By living a life of righteousness and compassion, we align ourselves with God’s divine plan. As we journey through this Advent season, let us heed the call to prepare the way of the Lord and embrace the hope and peace that His presence brings.
PRAYER:
May the Almighty God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, grant you forgiveness of all your sins. May He grant you the grace to prepare the way of the Lord by repairing your deplorable spiritual roads. May you embrace the love of God and love your fellow human beings sincerely so that you may reign with Christ in His Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen!!!
Peace of Christ be with you…
Rev. Fr. Ben Okala, C.S.Sp.
