This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Mt 3:3)Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Where do I begin to share all that is my heart? The Season of Advent is my favorite season of the Church year. It is a season of joy and hope and new beginnings.
Perhaps we could begin with the passage from St. Matthew’s gospel above. If we are really honest, the news these past few weeks has made us feel as if we are in a dessert, an empty, arid wasteland where so many people appear to have forgotten about God.
But wait! There is a voice, a beautiful, strong, clear voice, crying out in our wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for Him! St. John the Baptist came ahead of Jesus to call the people of Israel to turn from their evil ways and to turn toward God. As a sign of their repentance they went down into the waters of the Jordan and came forth with hearts renewed and ready – ready when Jesus came – ready to hear Him – ready to receive Him!
Advent is a time for repentance and renewal, a time to make the rough ways in our lives smooth, a time to prepare the way for Jesus to come anew into our hearts. How do we change the desert into a garden? We do it one person at a time! Today is the first Sunday of Advent, a season of hope. Let’s begin!
1 comment:
Dear Sister Judith.
A voice in the wilderness, what a wonderful analogy. I will keep this thought during the week,especially when I listen to the news or see the newpapers.
In Christ, Sister Mary Ignatius O.C.D.
Post a Comment