Today is the Second Sunday of Advent. In the Gospel reading from Mark 1, we read about the ministry of John the Baptist. He is the one about whom the prophet Isaiah wrote, “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’ ” That’s really what Advent is all about…preparing the way, preparing our hearts for the Lord.
In today’s world, we need more John the Baptists. I can imagine some of what he must have gone through. I’m sure that the bulk of the people of his time looked at him as some kind of oddball. The funny clothes, the strange diet, always going on about God this and God that. He was marginalized, persecuted and eventually killed for doing what God called him to do; stand up for the truth.
As Christians, it would behoove us to feel like John the Baptist more often. Why? Because we should be acting more like him! Not necessarily with the clothes and the diet, but willing to proclaim the truths of God without compromise. Willing to stand up in our desert (the current culture) and unashamedly calling ourselves and others to “prepare the way of the Lord.” It was probably a tough gig for John. It is a tough gig for us. Are you up for it?
Father, give us the strength and courage to follow the example of John the Baptist. To proclaim to the world, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” Amen.
Parishes throughout North America have already ordered A Minute in the Church to give away at Christmas Masses. If your parish hasn't, order today at www.GusLloyd.com.
Gus makes a good point here. Too often I think I need to be physically out on the street corner or talking to my friends to proclaim the word of God. If I simply use the holy name of God in public or while in a conversation or in saying grace in a public cafe or carefully listening to a person in need then I am indeed ‘proclaiming’ the word of God.