The Advent message of John the Baptist is a simple and direct one, “Prepare the Way of the Lord.”  John knows that “one mightier than I is coming.”(Luke 3,16)  St. Paul proclaims to the Philippians, “The Lord is near.”(Phil 4,6)  This coming, this advent, requires us to prepare.  We don’t want to encounter “the Mighty One” unprepared and unready for our encounter.  Our preparation requires some house cleaning.  We are called to change our ways, to repent and be purified, to turn our lives around and to live in a new way.  This time of preparation is a great opportunity for us to live in a newness of life.  The coming of Jesus into our lives should be a reason for joy.  Paul encourages us to, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I shall say it again:  rejoice!”(Phil 4,4)  The occasion of our encounter with Jesus should be a time of joy for it is the advent of our salvation.

    Anticipating the coming of the Lord, the desire of the nations, the crowds around John begin to ask a poignant and most relevant question, “What should we do?”  How do we prepare for something like this?  A complete change of life seems to most of us to be a bit overwhelming.  As Nicodemus will later ask Jesus, “How can a person once grown old be born again?”(John 3,4)  There is a lifetime of inertia that we have to overcome in order to live a new way.  Many of us are set in our ways.  John is asking for repentance in his baptism, but what does this really mean to us?  Is it really possible to become a new person and to begin again in life with a new direction and purpose?  When we begin to think of all that we need to do to get our lives straightened out and in order, our heads begin to spin.  Where does one begin?  Far from being filled with joy, we are filled with anxiety and dread.  It seems like an impossible task and a fool’s dream.

    John points out to the people a way of holiness.  The way that John proposes is a way of everyday life.  Each person needs to examine their own lives and see where they must begin.  For each person it is different and each person has a different path of preparation before them.  The way to holiness is different for people in different states of life.  It would be a mistake for most of us to strive to live like Mother Teresa or like a cloistered monk or even like the person sitting next to us in the pew.  Each of us has our own challenges and habits of sin from which we must strive to be free.  We must start with what is in front of us each day and make small changes in the way we live each day.  Small beginnings lead to greater ends.  Paul gives us a very simple goal attainable for all people:  “Your kindness should be known to all.”(Phil 4,5)  What should we do?  Do what is right.  Do what is right in front of us, do what is right in our hearts, do what is right in the eyes of our neighbor.  Treat your parents well, treat your siblings well, treat your spouses well, treat your children well, treat your co-workers well, treat other members of your community well, treat your enemies well, your school of holiness is all around you.

    When we are striving to effect true change in our lives, to commit to true repentance and conversion, we must make good choices and decisions in our life – not just the big decisions but the smaller, everyday decisions of life.  Every day we can make a decision to love.  We start with choosing the good in this moment and acting on that good.  In recovery circles it is often voiced as, “Do the next right thing.”  Before I can consecrate my life, I need to consecrate this moment in life.  In this moment, I can do the next right thing, in this moment I can choose the good, I can choose to love, in this moment I can be kind and gracious.  Often this can get us out of our heads and into our hearts.  I am not just thinking about change, I am effecting change in my life.  Being holy is not just a great and lofty idea, it is a way of life that comes from the heart in choosing to do the next right thing in this moment and then repeating it in each moment that comes after.  These moments of grace come together to build a life of joy.

    Prepare the way.  What should we do?  Do the next right thing.  Get into your hearts, make a decision to love and show your kindness.  Now you will be ready to receive him when he comes with his refining fire and his promised gift of joy.  For as Paul promises us:  “Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  That’s the kind of peace that brings true joy!  That’s where I want to live!