PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD

Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year C

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Bible Texts: Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6

Advent is a season of preparation, anticipation, and hope for the coming of Christ in history as a child in Bethlehem and his second coming in glory at the end of time. During this time, we are called to prepare our hearts, clear the obstacles, and make space for Christ to dwell within us. On this second Sunday of Advent, the focus shifts to preparation. The readings invite us to reflect on the call to repentance and the promise of God’s restoration.

Baruch’s prophecy in the first reading (Baruch 5:1-9) is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian Exile (587–538 BCE), a period of immense suffering for the people of Judah. In 587 BCE, the Babylonian army, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed Jerusalem, including its Temple, the center of Jewish worship. Many of the city’s inhabitants were killed, while the survivors were taken as captives to Babylon. The exile was not just a physical displacement but also a spiritual crisis for the Jewish people. They questioned whether they had been abandoned by God due to their sins and whether they still held the status of being God’s chosen people.

Amid their despair, Baruch delivered to them the message we heard in today’s first reading. It was a message of hope and restoration, calling Jerusalem to shed its mourning and prepare for the return of the exiles. Using imagery of God leveling mountains and smoothing paths, the prophecy portrayed divine intervention to remove obstacles and lead his people back to their homeland. The language used in this passage is not only a promise of physical return to their homeland but also a spiritual renewal - a restoration of their relationship with God. This vision aligns with Advent’s themes of preparation and hope, reminding us that God is always at work to restore and redeem, even in the darkest times.

The Gospel reading (Luke 3:1-6), introduces us to John the Baptist, the herald of Christ’s coming. Luke meticulously placed John’s ministry within historical and political contexts, listing rulers and regions to emphasize that the Messiah’s birth was a real, historical event. John’s mission was rooted in Isaiah’s prophecy: preparing the way of the Lord by calling people to repentance and renewal. The imagery of leveling mountains and filling valleys which we find in both the first and gospel readings signifies the transformative power of God’s grace, which removes obstacles and restores the broken. Advent invites us to reflect on the “valleys” of despair and the “mountains” of pride in our lives that hinder God’s work in us. Just as John called the people to prepare for Christ’s coming, we are called to examine our hearts, repent of sin, and make room for the Lord.

John’s message of repentance is as relevant today as it was then. True preparation for Christ’s coming is not merely external but an interior transformation - a turning back to God (metanoia). Advent is a season of hope, but it is also a time of action. We must ask ourselves: What areas of my life need leveling? Are there attitudes, habits, or relationships that block God’s grace? The sacrament of reconciliation offers a powerful way to embrace this call, allowing us to experience God’s mercy and begin anew. As we prepare for Christmas, let us heed John’s call to repentance and renewal, so that when Christ comes, he will find hearts ready to receive him. “All flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6) - but only those who prepare will fully experience its joy and peace.

Lastly, Advent is not just a season of waiting but of active preparation. Baruch assures us of God’s promise to restore, Paul challenges us to grow in love, and John the Baptist calls us to repentance and transformation. As we journey through Advent, let us take to heart the words of the psalmist: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” Let that joy propel us to prepare the way for Christ, not just in our hearts but in the world around us.