Audio version

John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 

We have arrived at the second of the four Sundays of Advent, and we continue to contemplate the Advent and all its implications.

As mentioned last week, Advent has several shades of meaning. It can mean beginning, revelation, expectation, dawning, and a start. Throughout this season we are led through the various ways we will prepare for and encounter Jesus in this new Church year.

Last week we focused on our preparation for Jesus’ return. This week we focus on personal preparation for needed changes in our lives.

Today we encounter a key figure in these days of preparation, John the Baptist, the Forerunner of Jesus the Messiah.

The importance of John the Baptist is underscored by the number of times the Holy Church honors him throughout the year. There is this season of Advent when we hear his proclamation of preparation through repentance, his baptism of Jesus celebrated in the Christmas season, his nativity on June 24th, and his beheading on August 29th. We encounter him in the various gospels during the year. He is always pointing toward Jesus.

Forerunner, literally one who comes before another, underscores the call to personal preparation. While Advent is not a deeply penitential season, as Lent is, we are still called to pause to increase penance and prayer to prepare for Jesus’ return. It is a time of checking our personal books to see where our accounts are.

Are we rich in the graces Jesus offers us? Are our ledgers full of good works, generosity, and the proclamation of the Kingdom? Are there indications that we have spoken out, as John did, against wrong and evil, or are we at a deficit in any of these areas?

If there are deficits, it is an opportune season to close them out, to repent, do penance, increase prayer and good works, and move from the red into the black.

As part of our preparation, look at some old Christmas movies. You will generally see the decoration of the Christmas tree on the eve of Christmas day. Can you imagine? Does anybody still wait?

What the symbolism of those movies calls us to is making this a season of the forerunner, that which comes before the next. Are we taking a breath, slowing the headlong rush, easing anxiety, and enjoying this blessed Advent time of preparation? Doing so helps us best appreciate what we are preparing for. Then we can celebrate the full forty days of Christmas well prepared.