2nd Sunday of Advent – B Dec
7, 2014
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Psalm
85 2 Peter 3:8-14 Mk 1:1-8
A long time ago, just after the resurrection and ascension
of Jesus, the name that the early church used for itself was “The Way.” If you look carefully in the New Testament
scriptures you can see that name in use.
“The Way.”
In fact, these words are the beginning of Mark’s gospel,
which we read today. It is predicted in
Isaiah. We know this phrase well from
the first reading from Isaiah that is quoted in today's gospel. “a voice of one crying out in the
desert: prepare ‘the way’ of the
Lord." There it is - the original
name for our religion. “The Way.” Jesus calls us to be followers of “The Way of
the Lord.”
The scriptures this weekend teach us two steps in becoming
followers of “The Way of the Lord.”
Let’s take a look at them.
The first step in following The Way comes
from St. John the Baptist. He appeared
in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Step #1 in following The Way is “repentance.” Repent comes from the latin “pentare” which
means “think.” So re-pent literally
means “re-think.” St. Paul phrases it
this way in his letter to the Romans. “Be
transformed by the renewal of your minds.” We need that baptism of repentance for the
forgiveness of sins. All of us need this
so that we can become holy.
Listen to how St. Peter describes holiness in the second
reading today. “What sort of
person ought you to be, conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion.” “Be eager to be found without spot or
blemish before the Lord, at peace.”
Two spiritual practices help us in following The Way of repentance for the forgiveness
of sins. The first is this: a thorough examination of conscience on a
daily basis. Do this each night before
going to sleep. The second is this: the regular use of the Sacrament of Penance. Listen!
If it has been more than six months since your last confession - then it
is WAY past time. If you wash your car with more frequency than you cleanse your soul in confession, then reprioritize
your spiritual life. After all, the
first step of The Way is repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
The second step in following the Way
comes from the end of today’s gospel reading when John the Baptist says “I
have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit
that St. John mentions? It is a number
of things.
*
It is the indwelling presence of Jesus given to
us at baptism.
*
It is the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to us
at Confirmation, which Isaiah describes as knowledge, understanding, wisdom,
council, courage, piety, and wonder & awe.
*
It is the life of Jesus within us when we accept
him as Lord and Savior.
*
It is the evidence of our faith in Jesus by
living his gospel with good works.
*
It is the theological virtues of faith, hope,
and love operating in our lives.
*
It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit within us,
which St. Paul describes in Galatians as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
*
It is the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit
which St. Paul describes in Corinthians as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing,
miraculous powers, prophecy, discernment of spirits, speaking in tongues, and
the interpretation of tongues.
Jesus said in the sermon on the mount that “if
you, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” We need to ask God Almighty again and again
for the gift of His Holy Spirit.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the second step in The
Way. This is part of what it means to be
a Roman Catholic – a member of the universal church of Jesus Christ in union
with the Pope and our local bishop.
The Way proclaimed by the early church is still The Way
today. This is the basis of our Catholic
faith, handed to us by the Lord Jesus himself.
These two steps of The Way are what each of us needs over and over
again.
Step One – repentance for the forgiveness of sins!
Let us go to the Lord again and again
humbly
confessing our sins so that we may be healed of them.
Step Two – the baptism of the Holy Spirit!
Let us ask the Lord again and again
to fill
us with his Holy Spirit so we can live the gospel.
These steps are the ones that, in a powerful way,
prepare The Way of the Lord:
the way of the Lord into our hearts;
the way of the Lord into our world;
the way of the Lord leading us to eternal life.
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