December 4, 2011 Scripture Reflection

Second Sunday of Advent


December 4, 2011

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Peter 3:8-14 Mark 1:1-8

"Prepare the way of the Lord"

Clear the path; remove the clutter. The message of Advent is clear. "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." The challenge is to achieve a balance as we move through this busy, demanding season. Can we be more prayerful and reflective so as to open ourselves to a deeper encounter with our God while preparing to celebrate with God's people - family, friends, co-workers and others who can benefit from our presence and assistance?

In Catherine of Siena's Dialogue, Christ reminds us: "I have no intentions of parting you from myself, but rather of making sure to bind you to me, all the closer by the bond of your love for your neighbor. I have laid down two commandments: love of me and love of your neighbor…On (these) two feet you must walk my way."

Let us pray that we will be enabled to experience the many activities of this holy season as but one movement - that of love. Catherine reminds us that "God could easily have created each of us with all that we need, materially and spiritually," but did not this, so that we would be dependent on one another in meeting our needs and experiencing our joy.

In today's scripture we are reminded that each of us has been baptized not solely by water but most importantly, by the Holy Spirit. May God's Spirit draw us forward in a singular fashion, toward the love of our Savior and the love of all whom Jesus loves - our sisters and brothers. Let us not falsely choose between the loving service of one at the expense of the other but rather let us experience All, in an inclusive, loving embrace.

Let us pray:

Enable us, dearest God to experience the words found in today's responsorial psalm:

"May kindness and truth meet;
justice and peace kiss.
May truth spring out of the earth
and justice look down from heaven."

In loving God, may we encounter our neighbor; in loving our neighbor, may we look upon the face of God. Amen.

Sr. Mary Eileen O'Brien, OP