HOMILY/SERMON FOR 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT — YEAR C
HOMILY THEME: “PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE STRAIGHT HIS PATHS”
BY: Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu
Bar 5:1-9, Phil 1:4-6, 8-11, Luke 3:1-6
This is the 2nd Sunday of Advent. It is a time to take our relationship with God seriously. A time when no one is left in the dark. All hands must be on deck to clear the rubbles blocking our hearts. It is a time of establishing lasting peace and joy. Yet, most people still carry heavy burdens of evil in their hearts. They no longer think straight or see something good in others. They insinuate hatred, envy, jealousy and division among people. All these evils form the high mountains that must be leveled to allow fresh air enter and refresh our hearts. To accomplish this task of leveling the mountain in our hearts, Baruch exhorts, “Jerusalem, take off your dress of sorrow and distress, put on the beauty of the glory of God forever” (Bar. 5:1-9).
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Everyone is called to join this crusade of purifying our hearts to let in fresh air . The Lord does not enter the heart that nurtures evil. A renewed and cleansed heart welcomes the Lord joyfully. A repentant heart receives healing faster than a hardened heart. Our worries are removed from us when we welcome Jesus in the poor, the needy and the marginalized. Our preparation for the coming of the Lord shall be complete when we embrace peace and love. When Paul noticed how the Philippians loved one another, he exclaimed: “I am quite certain that the One who began this good work in you will see that it is finished when the Day of Christ Jesus comes” (Phil. 1:3-6ff).
Luke presents John The Baptist as the voice crying in the wilderness saying; “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” (Lk. 3:1-6). He is reminding us to get ready to change our hearts and be reconciled with one another. This massage from John is also a way of telling us to see Jesus in our neighbor. That the Lord’s coming renews all things and calls for reconciliation, peace and harmony among his followers. When we are at peace with one another our preparation for the Lord’s coming becomes meaningful. Every heavy burden in our hearts shall be made light. As we expect the Lord, may his coming break all barriers created by the evil one, amen. Happy Sunday.
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