Prepare The Way Of The Lord

Traditionally, the second Sunday in Advent brings us face-to-face with one of the great prophets of the scriptures: John the Baptist. However, I wonder if today, we really hear his words? “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John came with an uncomfortable message, demanding to be heard, although few at the time really bothered to actually listen.

Luke begins this gospel with a long introduction to present the political and the religious leaders holding power at this time. But why? Is it important? You see, Luke wants us to keep very clear that he is not about to tell us a nice fable, myth or legend, he is about to write about actual, concrete history: God intervening in real human history. 2000 years ago was a time of class struggle, wars, terrorism, rising crime and violence, economic insecurity, high taxes, moral decay…sound familiar?

The point is that John the Baptist came preaching in a real time. Jesus was born in this real time in this real world, in a world filled with questions and fear and uncertainty. And yet sometimes I think we go about preparing for Christmas as if it had nothing to do with the real world. We prepare as though the whole point was to create a fairy kingdom of twinkling lights, trees in houses, fancy gift paper, extravagant foods and drink, and plastic Father Christmas.

But the gospel today reminds us that God meets us right here and right now, in a world of corporate and government corruption, rising rates of HIV infection and increased stigma and discrimination for those living with the virus, rising sexual violence and rape, growing numbers of orphans and vulnerable children with no one to care for them, soup kitchens for the poor that close because of no food.

Jesus came into this world of frightened, depressed people; a dying people. Jesus came and he got involved, and calls us to do the same. And it is in this world that the way of the Lord is to be prepared. But the call for preparation is not a new idea. For generations, the prophets of ancient Israel had been warning the people to reform. Today, modern day prophets challenge us to look at our world, and to change our ways. But do we listen?

The prophets were concerned about the oppression of people who are weak and poor. And so today, we must ask ourselves: what is our attitude toward the poor? What is the message we give in our Church and at home? Do we see Christ in people who are poor, in their nobility, and in their suffering? Do we see Jesus in men and women living with AIDS and HIV struggling with their health, their future, their whole social lives? Or do we see them as victims, sinners deserving what they have because of the choices they made? What messages do our children get about people who are mentally challenged, slow learners, or illiterate? What messages do we give about people of a different colour, gender, tribe, nationality, or class?

You see, brothers and sisters, “to prepare the way of the Lord” means do so right here and right now: in our neighborhoods, convents, work places, schools and churches. It means loving and caring. It means being open and willing to change how we think and how we act. It means living and reflecting the ways of God…in every aspect of our lives. It means individual sacrifices for the sake of the common good.

It has been about 2000 years since John first proclaimed to the people of Jerusalem and Judea, and history has shown that the message still has to be heard—still has to take root.

But here we are today: Benedict is our pope, Nashenda our bishop Pandeni is the governor of Khomas, Shikongo the mayor of Windhoek and the Word of God is spoken to the people who worship at this church Windhoek: Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.

Will you listen, or will you ignore this?