The Second Sunday of Advent, the emphasis begins to shift from the Lord’s final coming in glory to his coming in human flesh. Every year, on this day, as preparation for Christmas, the Church leads us on pilgrimage to the Jordan River, so that we might enroll in the school of John the Baptist, hear his message, and put it into action in our lives. The Gospel Reading of today from St. Mark presents John the Baptist as our model for Advent preparation; he is the precursor who announced the Lord's coming and who prepared the people by preaching them “the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

The Scripture Readings of today tell us about the concern God has for His people and at the same time admonish the people to prepare the way spiritually for the coming of the Lord. In the First Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, the Prophet consoles the people of Israel in exile and assures them of the fulfillment of the promise of the Messiah. In this passage normally known as 'the poem of consolation', God shows how he cares for each person individually. In the Second Reading from his 2nd Letter, St. Peter speaks strongly against those who denied the Second Coming of Christ and says that 'the Day of the Lord' will come like a thief and the Lord will establish his Kingdom of truth, justice and peace in a new heaven and new earth. The Gospel Reading of today from St. Mark presents John the Baptist as the precursor of the birth of the Messiah. John the Baptist called all to “prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths”. He proclaimed the Baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins and announced the coming of Jesus who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. The preparatory work announced by John is the way we’re called to get ourselves ready to receive the Lord who is coming.

The catch word is ‘repent’. We are invited to change the direction of our minds. Isaiah and John the Baptist call us to prepare the way for the Lord. We are to retreat, go back to our initial love and initial calling. We are to rethink our faith and commitment.

Hey, wait, turn around, change, turn left, turn right, you need to change…are these words familiar? To do these, use whatever you need, google map, compass, asking others for the direction. 

John the Baptist is the pointer, trouble shooter for us. Let us heed the call of John and be the voices of God in this world.