Prepare The Way!
In this second week of advent, we continue to prepare and examine ourselves for the coming of Christ. St. Peter cautions us that “the day of the
Lord will come like a thief”, continuing the emphasis of readiness from last week’s Gospel. He encourages us to be “at peace”, to come to repentance and be ever ready, without blemish before him.
We Reflect
In the second reading, St. Peter tells us that “with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, a thousand years are like a day.” We often hear the
phrase “how time flies”. And in our lives, how time slips by ever so quickly when we are busy. It seems like we are always in the midst of getting ready for something, be it in our work, in our family commitments, in church activities or the many gatherings during this festive season. Sometimes, we get too absorbed or weary, we lose sight of what this season, what this life, is about: to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. This reading exhorts us to live holy lives, “What sort of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for
and hastening the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:11-12).
Share why you think living holy lives would hasten Christ’s coming? What is your response to the awareness of this message?
In the Gospel, we see how John is preparing the people for the coming of Christ by encouraging them to repent. St. John proclaims the importance of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Like those in the Gospel, we have to go out to Him, repenting our sins, turning away from self-indulgence that makes our lives a spiritual wasteland. We have to straighten out our lives, so that everything we do leads us to Him.
Just as John has directed people to Christ, we too can do the same thing in our own way. How do I point others to Christ in the way I live, work and speak?
We Live It!
During this season of Advent, let us ready ourselves for the coming of Christ despite the difficulties that we may face. St. Peter reminds us to “do (our) best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace.” Think about ways you and your family can prepare for this Advent/Christmas, so that you and they will experience more deeply the Lord’s forgiveness of sins. At the same time, let us be like John the Baptist, and give testimony to the light and truth of Christ.
