Meditation for Second Sunday of Advent, Year C
(Baruch 5:1-9; Phil 1:4-6.8-11; Lk 3:1-6)
The readings today invite us to prepare for the Lord. PREPARATION is an important step we must take if we are to succeed in every undertaking or situation in life. We prepare for exams, for work, for sports, for marriage, etc. Preparation shows how important something is to us or how committed we are to it. If we fail to prepare, then we have ‘prepared to fail.’ To avoid such failure, the Book of Baruch and the message of John the Baptist call on us to “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
A valley ‘swallows’ one, and keeps him running round within the enclosure instead of moving forward. Think about that ‘valley of anger’ that swallows up every drop of joy and peace. It could be a valley of laziness that encloses our good intentions to work hard and make progress. Imagine a valley of compulsive expenditure or live of addictions that swallow up our finances and render us financially sterile! Do you identify any kind of ‘valley’ in your life? If we must meet the Lord, and enjoy the favor He brings, these valleys must be filled up.
A mountain is a huge ‘obstruction’ on our way. When we pile up sins, adding one bad behavior upon another, soon a huge blockage rises in our hearts and we feel cut off from the way to salvation. The voice cries in the wilderness as we prepare for the Lord that every mountain must be levelled. Sometimes we find ourselves on crooked ways, adorning our words and actions with lies and deceit. At times inconsistence and instability become our swing of life! That is why we should be watchful when every little choice before us is attacked by indecision. The way of the Lord is straight! Every crooked way must be straightened if we are to meet Jesus. And the rough edges of our lives must be smooth; those aggressive ends, selfish and stubborn must be smoothen with a touch of love and kindness.
Therefore, Saint Paul urges, “That your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” On his part, Baruch says, “Put on the robe of righteousness from God.” This is how we arm ourselves to fill up every valley that prevents us from seeing the salvation and glory of God, level every mountain that block our way to reaching God’s blessings and answers to our prayers, straighten crooked ways that divert our lives from the right path, and smoothen the rough edges that render us inefficient. Then our hearts shall be ready, and our song shall ever be, “Come Lord Jesus, do not delay.” Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Sunday December 5th, 2021.
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