Second Sunday of Advent Reflection

Advent an Opportunity to Replenish Ourselves

By Audrey J. Schroeder, Associate of Wisdom

“Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”: this is the message St. John the Baptist asked people to heed before the birth of Christ.

Today we know what we will be celebrating in a few weeks. I often think of the “way” as our mandate to live the way. In preparing ourselves for the celebration of the birth of Christ, we are blessed to have scripture to direct us, saints to guide us through their worldly experiences, visions, and writing. In many cases, waiting and preparing can be a source of anxiety. To me, Advent is a gift, an opportunity to replenish ourselves in knowing Christ’s way of life, and being ever grateful for having His path to follow.

Psalm 85:11 tells us, “Truth shall spring out of the earth, and Justice shall look down from heaven.” What is our responsibility in this promise of Justice? We cannot be passive in an unjust world. Yet, we are humbled by our limitations and ask the Holy Spirit to direct us in our pursuit of a more balanced world in terms of how we treat those we love, those who irritate us, and those we do not understand. 

St. John the Baptist said, “I baptize you with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”