Reflection:
Christmas is not complete without the colorful glitter and tinsel that adorn our homes.  The Christmas tree is displayed in a strategic spot, the nativity scene is recreated in one corner, and blinking Christmas lights embellish the overall look of the house.

Being well into the 2nd Sunday of Advent, with only 16 days from Christmas, some of us might feel ready and all set for the much- awaited day. But are we, really? Advent is a period of expectant waiting and preparation in commemoration of the birth, and First Coming of Jesus Christ, even as we look forward to His glorious Second Coming.  Apart from the joyful sense of expectation and anticipation, the season also implies the soul’s underlying search and longing for deliverance and salvation.  Hence, our outward physical preparations for Christmas are not nearly as important as John the Baptist’s proclamation to “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,” (Lk 3:4).

John was the voice of one crying out in the wilderness as he travelled through the regions of the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins.  As disciples of Jesus in BLD, it is our task to be the modern day voice of St. John, the evangelizer, whose mission it was to prepare mankind for the Lord’s coming. The task for us is to help evangelize and open the hearts of our brothers and sisters to the gift of salvation.  We are to proclaim the Gospel through our lives and be “living witnesses for transformation in Christ,” as aptly stated in our BLD Vision.  It is a demanding challenge, and like John, we may well end up ‘crying out in the wilderness’, with no one listening to our voices.  But we trust in the Lord’s promise “that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it.” (Phil 1:6)

We cannot give what we do not have, so the best place to start meeting the challenge is with ourselves.  If the end of the world were to happen today, are we prepared to stand before the Lord for our final judgment? Are we ready for that great moment, or will we be caught unprepared, like the five foolish virgins who had no oil for their lamps and were locked out when the bridegroom finally arrived in Jesus’ parable.  “Therefore stay awake for you know neither the day nor the hour,” exhorts Jesus in Mt 25:13.

Most of our scripture readings for Advent focuses on the Second Coming of Christ, and admonishes us to remain vigilant, lest we lose the promise of eternal life.  We are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people.

Our theme for the week reminds for us to strive for peace, unity and love.  This forms part of our community’s vision “to help bring about a world of justice, human development and true peace.”  We are to reach out to those walking in darkness, awaiting and anticipating a great light (Is 9). This is what our BLD Mission hopes to achieve as we “evangelize families and build communities of faith through encounters, Life in the Spirit Seminars (LSS), and discipleship formation.”  Through these programs we level the path to deliver the good news of salvation and of a Messiah who will bring peace, love and deliverance to all the earth.

Advent is therefore celebrated as a time of joy and happiness as we await the coming of our King and Saviour. Mary, our Blessed Mother is the best role model for us to emulate.  She responded fully and without reservations to the coming of Jesus Christ.  Like her, we should open our hearts with humility so that we too can welcome Jesus into our homes and hearts, and serve as His instrument of peace, unity and love for others. In order for this to happen, we must resolve during this season of Advent, to take that first step by being in state of grace, making room for God, His word, and prayer, and making time for our community and community work.  Only then we can we be pure and blameless, and our love overflow more and more.   We can truly prepare the way of the Lord and claim His promise for the week, “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.” (Lk 3:5-6)

Prayer
Lord, help us to prepare ourselves for the day and the hour of Christ’s coming.  Give us the grace to go into sincere repentance, and purify our hearts that we may be ready at any time to face our final judgment.  Keep us vigilant and awake for the coming of the Bridegroom, unlike the foolish virgins.  We offer ourselves to You to be Your modern day John the Baptist, helping to prepare and call others to Your peace, joy, unity and love.   Bless us with the true spirit of Advent, rather than get derailed in the superficial and often excessive outward displays and activities that have no real significance to our calling.  In Jesus mighty name we pray.  Amen.

Reflection Questions:
1. How can you best prepare yourself to be an evangelizer and proclaimer of the Kingdom of     God during this Advent season, just like St. John the Baptist?
2. What specific action can you take this Christmas to reach out to others to help prepare them for the second coming of Christ?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
December 9, 2012 (Sun)        Bar 5:1-9/ Ps 126:1-6/ Phil 1:4-6,8-11/ Lk 3:1-6
December 10, 2012 (Mon)      Is 35:1-10/ Ps 85:9-14/ Lk 5:17-26
December 11, 2012 (Tues)     Is 40:1-11/ Ps 96:1-3,10-13/ Mt 18:12-14
December 12, 2012 (Wed)     Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:29,12,1-6,10/ Jdt 13:18-19/ Lk 1:26-38 or
Lk 1:39-47
December 13, 2012 (Thur)     Is 41:13-20/ Ps 145:1,9-13/ Mt 11:11-15
December 14, 2012 (Fri)        Is 48:17-19/ Ps 1:1-4,6/ Mt 11:16-19
December 15, 2012 (Sat)      Sir 48:1-4,9-11/ Ps 80:2,3, 15,16,18,19/ Mt 17:9,10-13

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ.  Read your Bible daily!”

Please download in PDF format