The Gospel of today begins with quite a solemn introduction:
In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar,
while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea and Herold was tetrarch of Galilee...
something spectacular is about to take place. That sounds like the introduction
of the birth of Jesus, but it is not. What is to happen however is an
announcement: the word of God came to
John the son of Zechariah in the desert. So, the central message of John is a request an invitation for conversion, a radical change of heart, a call to
turn away from selfishness and sin. In doing so we open our hearts to God's
grace, or what is the same, straightening the paths of the Lord.
Straighten the road is a very popular image, it is easy to
understand, so Advent season challenges us to
realize that we we must have a straight path, a path where there will be
temptations, no doubt, but temptations that can be overcome with the help of
God, so that we come to Mass on Sundays, to be stronger.
So, what is the message of this Sunday? First. This Advent you and I are challenged to undergo a sincere
and genuine conversion of heart, a radical return to our baptismal commitment
to walk with God in a new way; to leave some of our old habits and customs to
live closer to the Lord.
Second. We are challenged to be today’s John the Baptist,
proclaiming a message of repentance and forgiveness.
Third. Such a message could be transmitted through ordinary
little things we do to others: a call to someone who is experiencing hard
times; a stop by the hospital or life care home; a smile at someone… The spirituality of the Catholic Church
has always taught us that God is in the small details of every day. Our
Christian life is like a rug, a rug made of small knots, small things. At the end of the day the
only important thing is te be pleasing to God and Him only, nothing else
matters!
So what we do in these days of Advent? (and we are in the
second week already!!); how can we prepare our hearts for the Lord? Am I
thinking of making a good confession? Am I be able and open to begin to talk to
someone with whom I have been angry?
The Virgin Mary is close to giving birth to the Savior of
the world. She knows a lot of love, of tenderness, of forgiveness. If we
approach the Virgin Mary with confidence, for sure she will help us to fully
understand our hearts the spirit of Advent ■
