The second Sunday of Advent exhorts us to intensify our preparation to receive Jesus into our hearts. The gospel passage of the day presents the person of St. John the Baptist as a paragon role model for all of us in this regard. John was sent by God with the mission of preparing the people of Israel to welcome their messiah. “Prepare the way of the Lord; make his path straight.” The people of Israel have been waiting for their Messiah for a long period of time, and now the time has come. However, the question is: were they ready to receive their Messiah? It is true that the Israelites knew that one day their Messiah would come. Anyhow, a few people prepared themselves to encounter their saviour, people like prophet Simeon, prophetesses Anna, etc. The entire mission of John the Baptist communicates three important factors for encountering the Lord.
The first factor is sincere repentance. If there is no repentance and no turning away from old lifestyles, one cannot recognise the Messiah. John administered the baptism of repentance in Jordan to assist them in preparing well to encounter the Lord. This baptism of repentance was essential to recognising and receiving the Lord into our lives.
The second factor was the life witness of John the Baptist himself. He did not merely preach the Word of God. Instead, he practiced the Word of God in a radical manner. He spent his time in the desert, discerning the will of God. He wore the camel skin and leather belt around his waist, and he fed himself on wild hone and locust. These details depict his asceticism and single-mindedness concerning his passion for the Messiah.
The third factor is the profound humility of John the Baptist. His ascetic lifestyle and zealous preaching gave him wide popularity and acceptance among the people of Israel. He could have attracted people to himself and remained in the limelight. Nevertheless, not even in a single moment does he seek self-glory. He remained a pointer towards one who was coming after him. He places Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit over his baptism of repentance. He makes himself equal to a slave by stating that he is not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals of one who comes after him. John remained a faithful forerunner and herald of Christ.
As we have completed the first half of our Advent preparation, let us pose and see how we prepare for Christmas. Do we really wish an inner personal transformation for this Christmas or merely an external celebration? When we repent over our past failures, be an authentic witness of Christ, and practice the virtue of humility like John the Baptist may we become the heralds of Christ.