2019-12-08 Second Advent | Fr. Randall

 We are challenged today by John the Baptist whose ministry in the wilderness urgently called people to repentance. His message was a proclamation- the kingdom of God has come near. “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” We can only imagine the circumstances of life that would have caused people to go out from their villages and towns to become so vulnerable to this wild man wearing scraps of camel’s hair. He gave them hope, and so they confessed their sins, to turn away from what was not working in their life. These were people who had lost hope in the institutions of their day. John’s challenge to them was to bear fruit worthy of their repentance. Every tree, John said, that does not bear good fruit must be cut down and thrown into the fire.

 In this season of Advent may we take John’s ministry as a guide for our own. May the words of Paul in today’s lesson inspire us: “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” May we be challenged to be active participants preparing the way of the Lord, to make his paths straight in the twisted and crooked world we live. I pray that we trust God to go into the wilderness of our soul to be stripped of all that we cling. As we watch and wait for the coming of Jesus be filled with courage. To let go of what keeps us from being who God has called us to be is our mandate. May we have the humility of John the Baptist, to realize all that we have and do is for the sake and glory of King Jesus!!