Sis. Dina Balicanot
Nov. 25, 2009

 
     What does it mean to prepare?  To prepare for what?

     To prepare is to be ready, to be vigilant, and to be wide awake. To prepare for the second coming of Jesus.

     Who is Jesus? The King of all kings!

     Generally, people don’t want preparation.  They always go for instant, ready-to-eat food.  But God called us to prepare.  Our salvation requires preparation.

     In the context of Advent, there is a need to prepare when the day comes, the second coming.  Who will come? Jesus, the King of all kings!

     The pressure to prepare is not on those who don’t believe.  It is on us Christians who are called to do more.  We have our community – the chance to prepare
not only for ourselves, but also for others.

     The best reference point of preparation is first chapter of Mark:  Mission of St. John the Baptist – to prepare the way before Jesus initiates His earthly ministry.  Are we ready for the mission?

     Before it came about, there was a prophecy by Isaiah: “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight’" (Mk 1:1-2).

     St. John knew his mission. As early as a baby in his mother’s womb, he recognized who Jesus was when he leapt when Mary came to visit his mother Elizabeth.

     In Mt. 3:1-8, “In those days, John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’"  John served his purpose and calling – he prepared the way of the Lord.

     John was a faithful messenger of God.  Many people were baptized at the Jordan
River.  He did his ordinary ministry by being extraordinary -  he was clothed in
animal skin and ate locusts.

     Why do we highlight St. John?  Because like him, we are called to give as
much as he did in his ministry.  We are called to spend each day preparing until the end comes just like John the Baptist did.  To be voices in the desert!  To cry out in the wilderness!  To shout the news from the mountain top!  To be God’s prophets!  Bearing the same message!

     A prophet or a true witness is someone who is really good at hearing God’s voice.  Prophets are message takers.  They hear the message and share it with the people around them.

     We do not simply perform as moderators and praise and worship leaders.  We must be conscious of the holiness that comes from the performance of our ministry.

     We should be like St. Faustina,  who was really good at hearing God’s voice as
she painstakingly put in writing all what was told her by Jesus.  St. John, on the other hand, did not only speak in general terms about repentance,  but also
to bear fruits.

     A true witness knows his:

     Source: “This is not my ministry.  It isn’t mine.”

     Role: “I am just a voice.  I am not the Christ.”
             “After me, will come one more powerful than I, the thongs

              of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie” (Mk. 1:7).

     Joy: “It is my joy to be given an opportunity to place someone’s hand in the

            hand of Jesus.”

     Goal: “My goal is to decrease.  To make less of myself.”
             “He must increase; but I must decrease” (Jn. 3:30)

     It was later that Jesus referred to John the Baptist as the GREATEST of all PROPHETS.   Jesus honored John the Baptist for his extraordinary ministry.

     “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women, there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Mt. 11:11)

     Every day is Advent time. We must be ready.  Enjoy each day preparing – always aiming for the extraordinary!  Make ready our hearts.  Keep crying out in the wilderness.