Dec. 9, 2018: 2nd Sunday of Advent C
Dec. 9, 2018: 2nd Sunday of Advent C
Which of the following is more difficult for you—giving constructive criticism with love or taking constructive criticism graciously? Perhaps both are difficult because they involve sensitivity, patience, and courage. A priest tells a story of a visit by his bishop to his parish one Sunday. Looking out to the pews, bishop leaned over to the pastor and said, “There are not many people in the church today. Did you tell them I was coming?” The pastor replied, “No bishop. Someone else must have.”
For most of us, we do not like receiving negative feedback. It’s not pleasant hearing why we are wrong or what we need to improve. The moment we are criticized, our heartbeats quicken and our minds begin to race to come up with a justification. But if we calm our anger and listen with our hearts, we have an opportunity to better ourselves.
During the season of Advent, all of us are challenged to change our lives. It’s not an easy message to heed. We may get defensive and question the call to change because we may think that our lives are perfect. Isn’t it enough that we put up Christmas trees, shop for gifts, mail checks to charities, and attend Christmas mass? What more is God asking of us?
On this Second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist, the herald of Our Lord, calls us to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Messiah. “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
Do we recognize that there are obstacles in our lives to holiness? For example, is there trust in God and fervent prayer in our lives? Or do we struggle with hopelessness, restlessness, or inappropriate desires outside of our marriages? Maybe we are too preoccupied with earthly things--status, name, possessions. Do we have winding roads of desires that need to be straightened with fasting and prayer? Do we have molehills of small vices that have grown into mountains of sin that need to be leveled by bringing them to Confession?
The moment we decide for God and ask Him in prayer to change our stony hearts, God will fill the void in our hearts with peace. St. Paul had firsthand experience of God’s transformation of his own life. That is why he was able to write, “Brothers and sisters...I am confident that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus...And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
In the remaining weeks of Advent, let us heed God’s call to change our lives. Let us be cleansed of our sins through confession and put our love for God and neighbor into action. Can we swallow our pride and be more gentle and kind to our family members? Can we put aside our arrogance and admit that we need more prayer in our lives? The way of humility and meekness will prepare our hearts to receive Christ Child who humbles himself out of great love for us.
