Lk 3:1-6

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”

Already the Second Sunday of Advent;  we need to hear John's call to prepare the way for the  Lord. We might have begun a plan of prayer and sacrifice to make Advent truly s time of preparation for Christmas, but already we might have slipped away from it. John calls us back to it.  We have a week and a half before Christmas, and yes, Christmas shopping will be a big part of it but we might carve out some time to spend with the daily Mass readings, or browse the internet to find prayers and readings that will enhance this season.  Sitting quietly in expectation, in reflection on the huge step God has taken through the coming of Jesus to give us the way to achieve union with him and a closer relationship with our neighbor...so much to provoke gratitude and a desire to follow God's plan even more fervently.  There is plenty of food for Advent prayer. Let's "dig in"!

Bro. Rene

Dear God, inspire me to take full advantage of the beautiful readings and themes to benefit fully from this Advent Season. Amen.