2nd Sunday of Advent
The voice of one crying in the wilderness …

“Repent…Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”  The words of the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent call for change again. We have heard these words so many times.  So many Advents have passed and so many chances have been given by God for a change of life, for conversion.  And with what result!  Always, these questions arise:  Can I see a change in my life?  Do I follow the plan of God who in Christ “chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him” (Eph. 1:4)?  Heaven is a place where saints reside.  Does my present life give hope that I will be there also?  To attain salvation is my most important task.

Unfortunately, John’s words are still a cry in the wilderness of the modern world.  Few people take his words and admonitions seriously.  Few want to recognize that they have something to straighten out in their lives, to fix, to change, to cleanse…

To have the power for this transformation which begins with listening to the Word of God, we need to remove the din of cell phones, TV’s and computers and find time for prayer, adoration, silence and purification of the heart.  It takes great humility to recognize and accept the words of St. John.  Only when the first signs of transforming power appear gently and quietly like a sprout leaning out of the grain will new strength and quality appear:  peace of heart, joy, gentleness, self-control, patience, love… And this will be the true fruit of Advent!

Roman Harmata, PA