Second Sunday of Advent - December 8th

In the Gospel for the second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist echoes the words of Baruch and Isaiah that the way of the Lord would be made straight, the path would be smooth, “Every valley , shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low, the winding down roads shall be made straight and the rough ways made smooth” (Luke 3:4-6).

So what is this “way of the Lord” and how are we to prepare for it? The “way” is Jesus, who tells us, “I am the way, and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:1-6) Early Christians clearly understood this concept, indeed they were called followers of “the Way.”

For us, it is the way of discipleship. A disciple of Jesus is more than an admirer or follower; a disciple is an imitator, one who serves. Pope Francis teaches that we are called by our baptism to be missionary disciples and evangelizers, (Evangelii Gaudium 120) and that being a disciple means that we are constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, especially the poor and the marginalized.(EG 128)

It is the love of Jesus and the joy of the Gospel that makes the way of discipleship smooth in spite of weariness and difficulties and the witness of that love and joy will call others to prepare the Way of the Lord.

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Source: bishopkevinfarrell.org