PREPARE A WAY IN YOUR HEART FOR THE LORD

 

Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year B

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8

The first reading of this second Sunday of Advent from the book of the prophet Isaiah opens with the famous lines, “Comfort, comfort my people” (Isaiah 40:1). These words of consolation, restoration, and hope were addressed by Isaiah to the people of Judah during their exile in Babylon. It was a time when the people of Judah were enduring a phase of excruciating suffering, both physically and spiritually, and Isaiah wrote to offer them hope and consolation. His reference to “her warfare has ended” (Isaiah 40:2) was suggestive of the fact that the time of punishment and exile was coming to an end. Isaiah’s tone was one of hope, as the people were assured of God’s redemptive power and the eventual restoration of their fortunes.

But then, Isaiah’s promise of redemption comes with a call to take up some responsibilities. In anticipation of their redemption, he called on the people to prepare a way for the Lord in the wilderness; to make a straight highway for the Lord across the desert; to let every valley be filled in and every mountain and hill be laid low; and to let every cliff become a plain and the ridges a valley (Isaiah 40:3-4). In the words of Isaiah, when all these are done, then, the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it (Isaiah 40:5). Let us bear in mind that this call to “prepare the way of the Lord” is not merely a physical act but an invitation to prepare our inner landscapes, removing the obstacles that hinder God’s entry.

Isaiah’s prophecy about a voice crying in the wilderness aligns with Mark’s depiction of John the Baptist’s ministry in the wilderness as portrayed in the Gospel reading (Mark 1:1-8). John’s role as the herald and forerunner, echoing the words of Isaiah, signifies the fulfillment of the Old Testament anticipation of the coming Messiah. Just as Isaiah called for the people of Judah to repent and prepare for the Lord’s arrival, so also did John the Baptist preach a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, urging people to turn away from sin and turn towards God.

Like the people of Judah, we await the redemptive power of God. But before the Messiah comes, we need the heed the call of both Isaiah and John the Baptist. They are both urging us to make straight the paths of our hearts for the coming of the Lord. The call to prepare the way is a call to embark on a transformative journey - a journey that involves self-examination, repentance, and a deliberate turning toward God. It is a journey of shedding the old garments of sin and putting on the new robe of righteousness, made possible by the grace of Christ. The baptism of repentance which John the Baptist spoke about symbolizes our own turning toward God, a spiritual cleansing that readies us to receive the transformative grace of Christ.

Lastly, as we continue with this season of waiting and anticipation, let us heed the advice of Peter in the second reading. Peter’s letter encourages patience as we await the “new heavens and a new earth” promised by God. In the midst of our waiting, God’s timing is not our timing, but his faithfulness endures. Advent teaches us the sacred art of patience, trusting that the Lord’s promises will unfold in their perfect time. Our preparation involves living holy and godly lives, ready for the day of the Lord’s manifestation.