Homily For Second Sunday of Advent Year B, 10th December, 2023

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

 

PREPARING A WAY FOR THE PEACE OF GOD TO REIGN IN YOUR HEART

 

In this world we are so busy preparing, acquiring and safeguarding the things of this passing world thinking that they will guarantee us the peace we desire, only to find out that true peace is far away from us. Meanwhile, we are called to prepare for the future reality of human life, that is, our eternal life in God’s Kingdom where true peace reigns. Little wonder, the Church for the past seven days now, has 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 offer us true peace and save us from sin and damnation.

 

Thus, today, the Second Sunday of Advent, we are presented with the theme of peace through intensive preparation, following the cry of John the Baptist who preached 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 these 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 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, which 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. Paul 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 our best to live lives without spots or stains so that he will find us at peace when he comes in glory. So, it is time to make peace with God and with one another. It is time to repent and reconcile with one another. It is time to make restoration for our ugly actions in other to let peace reign in our hearts, in our homes, in our society and country. It is time to embrace the peace God is offering us. It is time to share this peace and enjoy the fruit of this season.

 

Dear friends, it is time to prepare a way for the peace of God to reign in our hearts. But what are the things that can deny us peace and the fruit of this season? The major things that can deny us of this gracious moment are sinful actions such as unforgivingness, hatred, greed, immoral actions and pride. What is keeping us from turning away from this ugly way of life? We made resolutions at the beginning of this year but we have not kept them. We said we would keep away from ugly actions but we have not fulfilled that. We say we will never be involved in corrupt actions, we say we will not lie or cheat people, you said you will not continue to cheat on your wife or husband, we said we will not continue to be involved in fornication, adultery, masturbation, pornographic content but we have failed to keep our promises and resolutions to God and now peace is far away from us.

 

 So, while not make this season a moment to fulfil those promises before the year comes to an end. While not repent from these sins so as to embrace the new life of peace and holiness 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 and peace to troubled hearts.

 

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 peace and holiness which Christ is offering us this season of Advent. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.