READINGS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C) SUNDAY 5TH DECEMBER, 2021
FIRST READING: BARUCH 5:1-9
PSALM: 125
SECOND READING: PHILIPPIANS 1:3-6, 8-11
GOSPEL: LUKE 3:1-6
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM
PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
You are sincerely welcome to the Second Sunday of Advent, Year C. Today, we are reminded of God’s promise to send us a Messiah who will take absolute care of our lives. This Messiah will give us limitless care in every circumstance of our lives. We need to prepare for the coming of this Messiah.
The term prepare in this reflection entails our decision to make ourselves ready or well equipped for the future coming of the Messiah. This is indeed a significant moment in our lives that requires preparation. In this reflection, we will explore how we can prepare for this significant moment in our lives.
The Prophet Isaiah tells us that the Lord will lead us in a grand procession to our homeland and take care of us as a shepherd cares for his sheep.
Isaiah prophesied the future coming of “a voice crying in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth. And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.”
(Isaiah 40:3-5).
When John the Baptist arrived, he identified himself with that “voice” and admitted that his mission was to prepare a way for the Lord and make his paths straight. As “Herald” of the Messiah, John the Baptist preached total repentance.
His message of repentance is an invitation for us to open ourselves to the new beginning to be brought about by the birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, our Messiah.
The book of the Prophet Baruch announces the return of the whole human race to God. This is a significant moment in our lives. We are asked to return to the Lord. It is a circumstance that calls for tremendous preparations.
(Baruch 5:1-9)
St. Peter invites us to get ready to go home to Heaven with Jesus at his Second Coming. Peter tells those who doubt the Second Coming of Jesus that God’s way of counting time is different from ours. Peter also tells us that God has His own reasons for delaying the Second Coming of Christ.
(2 Peter 3:8-14)
In the same way, St. Paul advises the Philippians to prepare themselves for Christ’s Second Coming.
(Philippians 1:3-6, 8-11). The Psalmist describes how perfect peace is coming home with the Lord’s coming. (Psalm 84).
This Advent Season is a real spiritual “homecoming”. During this Advent Season, we are called to make the necessary preparations for the arrival of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of Mark tells us how we should prepare to receive Jesus into our lives. John the Baptist preached that the appropriate behaviour for those preparing “the way of the Lord” was through baptism and repentance. John the Baptist recommended a baptism of repentance in the River Jordan to the Jews who were familiar with ritual and symbolic washings. (Mark 1:1-8).
We are urged to bring low the mountains in us such as hatred, bitterness, selfishness, greed, pride, arrogance, lying, gossip and an unforgiving spirit. We are encouraged to fill up the valleys in us with mercy, compassion, forgiveness, patience, justice, love, faith and truth.
We pray for the grace to experience the joy of God’s blessings in our hearts, families, communities, countries and the whole world.
May God’s Divine favours remain with us now and forever. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM