Second Sunday of Advent – Year B – 2020 Advent: Christ comes with blessings and graces; are we prepared for him? Readings: Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11 / Psalm 85 / 2 Peter 3: 8-14 / Mark 1: 1-8
Over the years I have heard people say, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be," or "I was born ready!" I’ve said those responses myself. Both responses make me wonder if the respondent is serious or half-joking. The first answer gives as much a hint of resignation as it does preparedness. The second response tends to express overconfidence.
Are you ready? Are you prepared ….for life, for Christ? If you are not prepared now, will you ever be?
On this second Sunday of Advent, the words of the prophet, "A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths,'" resound in the first reading from the book of Isaiah and are repeated by Mark in the Gospel reading.
The theme of preparation, being prepared, is an obvious one. Yes, we must be prepared, but do we recognize or understand the preparations that are truly necessary? Our first thought might be that we need to get or provide things. Christ might have other ideas. He has what we truly need and is always willing and able to provide.
The holy season of Advent is a penitential time that is meant to be marked by spiritual and moral preparation for the coming of Christ. The sense of longing and anticipation are indications that we can be on the right path.
Notice how I referred to this time as the "holy Season" of Advent. For many people, this time of year can be marked by sadness or melancholy feelings. Stress can definitely increase in December! What, then, makes Advent holy or how do we make it holy? The holiness of Advent has to do with God's will and initiative: the Incarnation, the coming of God as man, made real in the birth of the child Jesus.
St. Charles Borromeo provides much wisdom for us here when he writes, "The Church asks us to understand that Christ, who came once in the flesh, is prepared to come again. When we remove all obstacles to his presence he will come, at any hour and moment, to dwell spiritually in our hearts, bringing with him the riches of his grace."¹
We have no need or requirement to bring anything, only to receive Christ by first suppressing our own selfishness to recognize that what he provides might not be what we wish for but is truly for our salvation. We make Advent holy by our willingness to receive Jesus Christ into our lives. Advent becomes holy the more we turn away from sin and any sinful inclinations and turn towards him.
As St. Charles Borromeo makes clear, it’s about putting our spiritual house in order, clearing out “all obstacles to Christ’s presence,” and asking him to fill us with “the riches of his grace” so we can better overcome temptations and, especially, our own selfishness.
More than a passive approach on our part, the Lord desires that our paths through life become the ways through which he can be revealed and be present among us and all that we meet. The steps we take in life are ours, but, oh, how Christ wishes to walk them whenever we welcome him into our lives and are willing to live as he taught us.
The good Lord never takes over our role and responsibilities; he never overtakes our lives. Rather, he wishes to be in the world by our willingness to give him welcome and share his mercy.
When we consider ourselves before the Lord, what could or should we bring? Nothing. How can we prepare? Our primary task must be to receive him with an open heart. Christ doesn’t expect any gifts or presents from us. Rather, he hopes we are willing to receive and share his generosity. Be prepared, for God is generous.
May we be ready this Advent and always to receive "the riches of his grace." When that happens, life will never be the same: we will discover Christ, we will recognize our true selves in the light of his mercy; we will understand true happiness through being merciful.
This Advent and always, may we open when Christ knocks on the door of our hearts; may others find him there, too.
Peace be with you! Fr. Charles Johnson, O.P.
Notes:
¹ St. Charles Borromeo, from a pastoral letter. 2nd reading, Office of Readings, Liturgy of the Hours, Monday of the 1st Week of Advent