SPIRITUAL WORK – 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C
The work of Advent is to prepare for the Lord’s coming. The call of the Advent Prophet, John the Baptizer, calls us to clear Him a straight path into our life. That spiritual clearing demands filling in the spiritual valleys of despair, discouragement and habits of sin with habits of virtue, moral weaknesses with moral strength, overcoming indifference and apathy with alertness and concern, and other spiritual valleys, which can block the way of the Lord.
Filling in the spiritual valleys can take the heavy spiritual equipment of deep prayer, spiritual reading, and dealing with habits of sin and addictions. Among the best means is sacramental confession. Moving spiritual mountains of unbelief, hatred, lack of forgiveness, positive rebellion and rejection of the Lord, His ways and Commandments and the Church can take the heavy spiritual blasting equipment of hard drilling intercessory prayer, deliverance, and concentrated efforts to break down long standing attitudes and behavior. Those who are in serious sins of violence, sexuality, and injustice have some spiritual mountains that block the Lord’s coming into their hearts and life.
Making the spiritual rough edges of harshness, impatience, grouchiness, being overly critical and whatever other form such edges take, can be a difficult spiritual, technical task to becoming more gentle, sensitive, accepting and peaceful toward one’s self, others and the Lord. Making the spiritual windings straight can mean overcoming so many things and worldly concerns, which make it harder for the Lord to find a way into one’s heart. It takes a lot of energy to work one’s way through winding roads.
There is a lot behind the call of John the Baptist which is valid for all times and ages. “A herald’s voice in the desert, crying, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, clear Him a straight path. Every valley shall be filled in and every mountain and hill shall be leveled. The windings shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God’.”
The end result of the heavy spiritual work opening up our hearts to the Lord and experiencing salvation is worth it! The Lord Himself helps in the work by the Holy Spirit. We can never get ready for the Lord’s coming without the Lord Himself. Our part in the work is more to cooperate with the work of grace in our persons and world. Our desire and the Lord’s grace begins the great work. Paul reminds us that “He who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion, right up to the day of Christ Jesus”.
Just as physical equipment fills in valleys, moves mountains, and smooths rough edges, the spiritual equipment of God’s Word, grace, the Lord’s actions in the sacraments of the Church, and the faithfulness and love among people fills in spiritual valleys, moves spiritual mountains, and makes smooth spiritual rough edges. The valleys, mountains, and rough edges of the human heart lead to “mourning and misery” which can only be removed by the presence of the Lord. The Good News proclaims the coming of the Lord which brings “the splendor of glory from God forever”.
We can lose hope when we consider all the work of preparing for the Lord’s coming if we don’t keep the Lord’s word spoken through the Prophet Baruch in mind. “For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God…For God is leading Israel in joy by the light of His glory, with His mercy and justice for company.”
That truth can give us the needed spiritual courage and hope to prepare for the Lord’s coming. Throughout our preparations, we are to keep our spiritual eyes on the Lord. Sometimes the hardest part of a work is knowing what is involved and getting started. The Lord’s work is underway in us to bring us His joy and peace!
Comments