Cycle B - Year I:  

7 December 2014: 2nd Sunday of Advent 

(Liturgical color: Violet)

Mark 1:1-8

Prepare the way of the Lord!

Someone consumed with passion or zest for something is usually described as "a man with a mission". Are you a man of mission?

On the second Sunday of Advent we will meet such a man in the person of John the Baptist. His life was fueled by one burning passion, which is to prepare the way for the Savior and point others to Jesus Christ and the coming of God's kingdom.

Who is John the Baptist and what is the significance of his message in our lives today?

John the Baptist was the last of the prophets who was sent by God with a

special mission: to prepare the way for the Savior. He was to make the way ready for the coming of the Messiah, God's anointed Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. It was he who announced the coming of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Thus, the role of John the Baptist in our salvation history was very important because it was he who opened the way for Christ to start his public ministry.

The evangelist Mark wrote in this Sunday's Gospel: "John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins."         (Mk 1:4-5)

John proclaimed to his listeners: "One higher than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mk 1:7-8)

Like John the Baptist, we too are called to give testimony to, and proclaim, the light and truth of Jesus Christ. But first we need to prepare ourselves for his coming through conversion and repentance, especially during this Advent Season, so that we can point others to Christ through the way we live, work, and speak.

Repentance is like a door that opens to allow God's visit to our soul. It is said that God's throne is in the highest heaven surrounded by majesty, glory and splendor. But God's dwelling place on earth is found in a humble and contrite heart that repents sincerely. Conversion is a continuous process, which starts with a decision to come into a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord.

The Church teaches that all that is baptized becomes "a man of mission", and our mission is to proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of heaven through our faith, words and examples. In other words, our mission this Advent Season and the whole of our Christian life is to prepare the way for Christ's coming on his birthday on Christmas day, his coming in our lives through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and his final coming at the end of times.

In our Advent pilgrimage, let us pray: "Lord, let your light burn brightly in my heart that I may know the joy and freedom of your kingdom. Fill me up with the Holy Spirit and empower me to witness the truth of your gospel, so that by words and examples I can point others to our Lord Jesus Christ wherever I am, in my home and workplace. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!