"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” – Luke 3:4
I have many faults and shortcomings. One of them is a tendency to be a bit disorganized. Well, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that at times I can be plain messy.
It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but I am inclined to leave things scattered around my apartment and procrastinate when it comes to cleaning. The worst part about this bad habit is that it makes me hesitant to invite people over for a visit. I am afraid they will think less of me because of my dirty dishes, and I know that clutter isn’t particularly inviting.
You can probably imagine what happens when I receive an unexpected guest. In the few minutes before they arrive I have to run around picking up clothes, wiping down countertops, and tossing away trash. Rather than practicing the virtue of hospitality, I’m usually quite unprepared to welcome someone into my home.
Now imagine if it was Jesus who just happened to be dropping in for a visit. I would definitely want my house to be clean and orderly before He arrived! That brings me to this Sunday’s Gospel reading, where we meet Saint John the Baptist. Although he was an untamed ascetic, John’s message was sharp and clear: confess your sins and clean up your act, because the King is on His way!
The words of John the Baptist hold true for us today. Advent is not just about preparing for Christmas; it is also about getting ready for the Second Coming of our Lord and the Final Judgment. That might seem scary, but it should not be so. God is not some kind of Divine Inspector threatening us with eviction if we do not sanitize our lives. Instead, He is an Honorable Guest who longs to pay us an extended visit. Thus, we should want to adorn our hearts with the ornaments of faith, hope, and love, so as to properly greet the Great King when He arrives.
How then do we prepare a place fit for such Royalty? First, we must return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and receive God’s grace to unclog the sinks of our souls. Then, through prayer and fasting we can remove the rubbish that clutters the thresholds of our hearts. Finally, we can deck the halls with acts of love, mercy, and generosity to those in need.
Come, Lord Jesus, and prepare us to be sanctuaries of your Divine Love. Cleanse our hearts and cast out all evil, so that You may dwell among us. Amen.
