Third Sunday of Advent
Reading 1: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11
Psalm: Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54
Reading 2: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28
Preparation. A word that most of us tend to take for granted. I know we prepare and all for things like this or things like that. But do we really realize its importance? Do we really grasp its value? Do we really know its necessity? In my 2 decades here on this earth, give or take a few years, I have learned of many, many things. And such, I have already grasp the basic skill of knowing what are things of importance and what are not. And to those things that are important, meaningful, noteworthy events and such in my life give ample time and effort to and for it. I prepare for it, in every sense of the word. And I know for a fact that you do the same, too.
But, do you know the complexities of preparation. There are different aspects to preparing than just spare clothes, food and money for expenses. These are just but little details in a grander scheme. To prepare means, having to exert physical prowess, mental faculties are tapped and overused, emotions are tested, prodded and agitated. These may seem few in word but doing all of this would tire out even a seasoned athlete. You say. I know, I know. You’ve prepared a lot of times yourself. Going camping. School. Outings. The list goes on. But what about your life? Your salvation? Have you ever prepared or even just wonder about preparing for it? I guess not.
What this passage tells us that even Jesus, Lord God; Most High, even the son of man, needed preparation before his coming. “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,‘make straight the way of the Lord’”. This is John the Baptist telling all those who would hear, that let us prepare, the lord is coming. One way to look at it is that Jesus is salvation, John was telling of the coming of salvation of man. And to prepare for Him, for salvation one must be baptized in the truth of God’s commandments. This means that preparing for Jesus and/or salvation is by living as Jesus has lived, by being good in word, and in deed.
I am the voice crying out through these lines for everyone who would hope to read, PREPARE, for your Jesus Christ, our, yours and mine, salvation is waiting.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have i thought of my own salvation?
2. What can i do to spread the word as how John the Baptist did 2 millennia ago?
MR. JOHN BENEDICT A. ALVIA
Student, School of Medicine
