Sister Bobbi’s Reflection on the 3rd Sunday of Advent

Our first reading from Isaiah strikes me as a love letter.  Isaiah uses rich imagery of ‘ joy of my soul’ ‘robe of salvation’, 'wrapped in a mantle of justice’, and ‘bridegroom adorned in jewels’ to express the love God has for him and for us.  God promises a love ‘ like a garden where growth springs up’ and is all inclusive love for the ‘brokenhearted, captives, prisoners, and the poor’.

Thessalonians, the second reading, gives our response to this love ‘rejoice always, pray without ceasing’, do not quiet the Spirit’, 'retain what is good’, 'refrain from evil’. 

In the Gospel, John the Baptist announces this love of God continues in the person of Jesus Christ.  He comes to ‘testify to the Light’ and no amount of questioning by the Levites intimidates him.  In fact, he heightens his message and cries out -  'make straight the way of the Lord'.  Crying out seems so desperate - a real pleading, a begging - from deep within.  

You may have a favorite Advent song – I often think of ‘Patience People’ or ‘Oh Come Divine Messiah’ or even ‘Wait for the Lord’ .   We know well the Advent theme of waiting.  However, I really think John is crying out for action -  not just waiting for the Lord.

John’s message takes me back to the 70’s and the Godspell musical.  One of many songs ‘Prepare Thee the Way of the Lord’ was instrumental in my spiritual journey.  It was such an upbeat, joyous, energetic song and it made Advent more relevant to me because it was young people my age performing.  The person of Jesus in the play was presented as any person, and it made me want to do something for Christ.  Every Advent, I still remember the song.  

John's cry for action is personal.  This week we sang the Magnificat antiphon ‘A voice cries out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord’.  As I was  organizing my Advent book - that page fell open, and it convicted me to answer John's cry.  What wilderness exists in me?  My self-centeredness, my ego, my pride - how can I make my path straight?  Is it a harsh attitude I need to smooth, or stress I need to surrender to God, or my treatment to someone in our community?   Where can I improve so Christ is more alive in me?   

I look around and see the wilderness we live in – full of poverty, grief, desperation, violence, orphans, refugees, racism, bigotry, greed.  What am doing to answer John’s cry in my world today, and what will I do to help straighten the path?  John’s message calls us to act.  In Isaiah and Thessalonians, we see the new Light of God's son and John's message reminds me to act.   

The Lord Jesus has been born in us, and Advent is our season to rejoice, to embrace the love, to straighten our curves and to pay attention to the way of the Lord. The young people in Godspell are singing 'Prepare the Way of the Lord' while they gather at the water fountain.  They are splashing each other with water, embracing each other in joy, and bonded in love.  The other Godspell song I enjoy is ‘Day by Day’ which calls us to action to 'see God more clearly, love God more dearly and follow God more nearly'.  This is what we are called to do as we make straight the way of the Lord.

A straightened path makes the journey clearer, as nothing is hidden around curves.  As we straighten our own paths, we help others to see their path more clearly and join us...united in the journey to the Lord!

It always seems to me that Advent is more about energy and action – not idleness or a wait and see mode.   

Isn't it marvelous that as Jesus is born - we are prepared - our paths are straightened to the best of our ability,   It is rejuvenating, re-energizing, refreshing and downright exhilarating that we are as ready as much as possible to celebrate the God in Us - born on Christmas day?