There is tremendous foretelling, and instruction in our readings today. The focus is all about the coming birth of our Lord, and the preparation that is appropriate to celebrate this, so it is very proper for the Advent season. For each of us, this season is a time to prepare ourselves for the celebration of when Jesus came into the world as man, and also to ultimately prepare ourselves for when He will come again. In many ways, the spirit of the Advent season is one that should remain with us throughout the year.
The prophet Isaiah describes for us the coming of our Lord, and that He will bring into being a world of justice, light, and truth. The old ways of being, and even those who were traditionally adversaries will find a new way of existing together in peace, hope, and security. There will be no more violence, fear, or strife. The old will pass, but not before a judgement has taken place that will come from the only one destined to judge because He is God who sees, knows, and discerns all rightly. Yet He came to us as man, and experienced all the things that we have, and knows our plight, and our hopes, and so can uniquely dispense His justice with no question of His authority or understanding.
To prepare the way for His coming, we hear of the words of John the Baptist, who came to be His herald, and who counseled the people to amend their ways, and to straighten the paths of their lives in preparation for the coming of the Christ. His message holds true for us today as well, as we immerse ourselves in the season of Advent, and prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of our Lord at Christmas. We too need to make straight the paths of our lives, and to not deceive ourselves that we are somehow exempt from His righteous judgement. To use this season as a time of reflection and self-examination, and to partake of the penance that is needed to make right our transgressions. To humbly acknowledge our own faults and to develop plans to amend our ways in the future. This is the greatest gift we can place before the Christ Child at Christmas – our love, belief and resolve to truly be His followers, in both word and action. To live out His commands, and to then join Him where the wolf and the lamb can live together in peace.
The Deacons Bench 