Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. To intensify our preparation for Christmas, the Gospel is presenting the preaching of John the Baptist. John stands in the middle of the Old Testament and New Testament as a great sign, directing the people of Israel to follow Christ. The life of John the Baptist is a model for us to deepen our relationship with Christ. The way he presents Jesus is also the criteria for us to intensify our efforts to introduce Jesus to the rest of the world. Let us briefly reflect on the person and message of John the Baptist from the Gospel today.
Primarily, it is the witness and life of John the Baptist that led many people to recognize Christ. He spent his time in prayer in the desert before presenting Christ to the world. His simple and ascetic life was visible to the people from his appearance. He was clothed in camel skin and his food was locusts and wild honey that he found in the Judaean desert (cf. Mk 1:6). John’s physical presence radiated his inner holiness, coming from an intense closeness to God. When he became conscious of his mission and vocation, he was totally focused. This single-minded attention helped him not to get attracted to the passing things of life. His sanctity was so alluring that people couldn’t resist listening to his directives. What a great model we have in John the Baptist to present Jesus to the world! We must witness Christ through our conduct and devotion to a life of holiness.
Pope John Paul II in his encyclical letter Redemptoris Missio says: “The witness of a Christian life is the first and irreplaceable form of mission.” (RM 42). We also have heard many times the famous saying of Pope Paul VI: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” (EN 41). Like John, now we have to go into our deserts of prayer life to develop our closeness to Christ. Then we should go out to the world to witness Christ, especially at this Advent time.
Secondly, John the Baptist invited the people to a life of conversion. A change of heart and mind was necessary to welcome the Messiah. John does not dilute the message to please the people or to get their admiration. He was direct in announcing the imminent judgment: “Every tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt 3: 10). It is a warning given to everyone, including to those who felt safe merely because they belonged to the Chosen People. One who is willing to follow Christ must be ready for a new way of thinking and a new way of behaving. John calls for the inner conversion of the people and presents Christian life as a way of being in Christ than anything else. Repentance involves “a change of mind” and is an acknowledgment of the sinful state of man and then accepting the forgiveness of the Lord.
As we prepare for the birth of Christ during this Advent season, we also need a giving heart and a loving soul. John invites us to come out of our “comfort zones”, search for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and renew our friendship with the Lord during this Advent Season. Our Christian vocation invites us to prepare the way for the Lord in today’s world. It is through our words and deeds, Christ is manifested to many people. Let us not hinder the possibility of many people knowing Christ because of our negligence or irresponsibility. Let us aspire to have a deep friendship and an intimate relationship with Jesus with our life of holiness to welcome Christ during this Christmas.
Rev. Dr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil