Second Sunday of Advent Year B, 6th December, 2020.

 Second Sunday of Advent Year B, 6th December, 2020. 

Readings: Is 40:1-5.9-11, Ps.85, 2Peter 3:8-14, Mark. 1:1-8

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

REPENT AND PREPARE A WAY FOR THE LORD TO COME INTO YOUR SOUL

In this world we are so busy preparing, acquiring and  safeguarding the things of this passing world. But only few persons are preparing for the future reality of human life, that is, our eternal life in God’s Kingdom. Little wonder, the Church for the past seven days now, have been schooling us in the liturgical Season of Advent, calling our attention to the need for us to be prepared and be opened to embrace the coming king, our Lord Jesus, who is coming to dwell among the fallen humanity, in order to renew us from sin and damnation. 

Thus, today, the Second Sunday of Advent, we are presented with the theme of intensive preparation following the cry of John the Baptist who preaching in the wilderness of Judea as he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins saying: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight, as we have it in our Gospel passage and also in our first reading through prophet Isaiah. His mission was to prepare and clear the way for the Lord, calling the people of Israel to repent of their sins and to correct every injustice. John the Baptist, with this demanding words, announced the imminent coming of the Lord when he said: Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. For I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

With this message, John put us on guard against the hypocrisy of those who felt safe merely because they belonged to the Chosen People. In God’s eyes, he says, no one has reason to boast but must bear good fruit that befits repentance. John the Baptist’s appeal for conversion rings out in our communities today. It is a pressing invitation to open up our hearts to receive Jesus the Son of God, who comes among us to make manifest the divine judgement of God. We too are called to listen to God’s voice, that cries out in the desert of our hearts through the Sacred Scriptures.

Hence, in this Season of Advent, we should let ourselves be guided by the word of God in preparation for his coming in glory. For St. Peter in our second reading tells us that with the Lord, ‘a day’ can mean a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. Thus, the Day of the Lord may come like a thief, and since everything is coming to an end, we should be living holy and saintly lives. We should do how best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find us at peace when he comes in glory.

Dear friends, the only things that can deny us the fruit of this season is sin: unforgivingness, hatred, greed, immorality. What is keeping us from turning away from this ugly ways of life? Why not repent from them so as to embrace the new life Jesus is offering us? Are we finding it difficult to let go of our ugly sinful ways of life? It’s time to come to God and ask for his grace. let us embrace the word of God we hear this season and truthfully share it with those we encounter, just like John the Baptist who stood for the truth of his mission and offered it to everyone, whoever, whenever and however it will best bring conversion to sinner.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, as we prepare the way for Christ coming into our souls. Give us the grace to turn away from sin and embrace the new life of holiness which Christ is offering us this season of Advent. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and joyful Sunday celebration.