Reflection for the Vigil of the Third Sunday of Advent

You might say that our calling as Christians is to “put on the mind and heart of Christ,” as St. Paul says in his letter to the Philippians. If that is the case, our apprenticeship in this process begins with the call of St. John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord.

If Jesus came to be an earthly king, we would know how to prepare for his coming. Musicians would write and practice triumphal songs, seamstresses and artists would create sumptuous banners, speechwriters would put lofty words of welcome on the lips of dignitaries, and gifts of gold and precious gems would be crafted.

But how do we prepare the way for Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself and became obedient? How do we prepare the way for a savior who values humility, not acclaim; who preaches forgiveness, not judgment; and who has compassion for all people, whether they are poor and marginalized or wealthy and elite?

Perhaps the answer lies in a prayer by Fr. Ed Hays in his book Advent Blessings:

“Be consoled and take heart, you who long for Emmanuel, and know that as you cleanse your hearts you also cleanse the world for the coming of the fullness of Christ.”

John understood this message. He adopted an ascetic lifestyle to rid himself of earthly desires, and in cleansing his own heart, he found the key to helping others prepare for the coming of Christ, through a baptism of repentance. John, who was skilled in reading people’s hearts, knew just what to say to the crowds, the tax collectors, and the soldiers who came to him and said, “What should we do?” 

So, if John the Baptist walked through our chapel doors with his rough clothing, unkempt beard dripping with honey that he found in our gift shop, and dusty feet, what do you think he would say to us if we asked him, “What should we do?”

If we came to him individually, John would likely pinpoint for each of us our specific attitudes and actions that separate us from God and from others. In speaking to us as a group of Benedictines, however, I imagine John would draw his advice from the Rule of St. Benedict:

“Welcome all guests, no matter how inconvenient it sometimes may be; do not grumble or ask for more than you need; cultivate humility, remembering that everything is a gift from God; show obedience not just to your prioress but to each other; and prefer nothing whatever to Christ.”

Now, why do you think this Gospel reading about John’s exhortation to repent was chosen for Gaudete Sunday, a day set aside for rejoicing? 

We have all experienced the sense of lightness and hope that comes after we repent and are reconciled with God and with others. That is certainly a cause for gladness. But John also brings us the good news that Emmanuel, God with us, baptizes us not with water but with the fire of the Holy Spirit, who now dwells in us. When God’s Spirit is with us and in us, how can we keep from singing for joy? No wonder Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!” No wonder we marvel that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

This, then, is John proclaiming the Good News that is for all people. We are invited to recognize that God is in our midst and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, put on the mind and heart of the one who brings life, healing, and light to all creation. When we do that, in our time and our place, we will be true partners in spreading the Gospel, the Good News, of our Lord Jesus Christ.