2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
Psalm 84:9-14
2 Peter 3:8-14
Mark 1:1-8
MAKE A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL PATH FOR THE LORD
The people of Israel were blessed with prophets throughout their history. The prophets advice, admonish, comfort and console them. They tell them what God wants them to do and warn them of impending punishment or destruction. Oftentimes, the Israelites failed to listen to the prophets, they followed their own ways and acted the way they liked.
The prophet Isaiah in the first part of his book had serious of oracles to call the people to repentance, but they refused to listen; he warned them of God's punishment and they neglected him until they were taken into exile in Babylon. The part of the first reading we read today was written when the Israelites were on exile. Isaiah writes to console them and tell them that the day of the lord is coming when they will be happy again. The Lord is coming to liberate them and take them back to their land.They are nevertheless, to listen to the voice of God and repent of their sins. They should live good lives, level all mountains and fill all valleys in their lives. This is how many of us are in different situations because of our sins.
St Paul in the second reading of today advice that we should live good and saintly life as we wait for the coming of the Lord. We should be ready at all times to receive him.
The gospel reading of today which is the beginning of the book of Mark, narrates how John who is regarded as the last prophet, calls that we all prepare a straight path for the lord to enter. We should be ready to receive our saviour. Just the way we prepare to receive a very important guest, we should also prepare to receive Jesus. Just as we clean our house and make everywhere around us tidy, we should also prepare for Jesus by cleaning our mind and heart, this can be done through prayers, fasting, almsgiving and other forms of spiritual fortification. Sin blocks our vision of God. Unless we repent, we cannot be close to God. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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