Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord!
By: Rev. Fr. Edward L. Tatro, Jr.
Matthew 3:3 (21st Century King James Version): For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: `Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.'
We hear this acclamation every Advent, but do we really know how to prepare the way of the Lord? Advent they say is a “mini-Lent,” a time of examining ourselves in preparation for celebrating the Sacred birth of our Redeemer. It is a time of fasting and serving our brothers and sisters of all walks of life.
We search for what our gifts that were bestowed upon us by our Father and then we examine our lives and our hearts for our sins and repent. Each and every one of us has at least one gift from God that we share with each other; sometimes it just requires a reminder that it is there.
Advent is not a reminder that we have to go to the mall and/or shops and purchase gifts for others. We already have gifts to give to each other, and each one is different except for one gift which is love. We are preparing for the ultimate gift given to us from our Heavenly Father, this gift of His Son, our Sacrificial Lamb and Redeemer.
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare for the Light of the World. We light the first candle on the Advent wreath and pray for the most Holy Light never to depart from us. Where there is darkness Christ brings light! If you are a sheep of Christ’s flock you’ll forever have the Light, a light that calms and gives hope.
This is a season not only of self examination but is also a season of hope! This past year I was deployed for natural disater work. What I saw there aside from anger and disappointment was a genuine sense of hope. These people had hope that God would send them medical providers to minister to their wounds and spirits. The hope I saw when I prayed with my patients renewed in me my call to serve; to prepare the way of the Lord.
So how am I going to prepare you ask? I offer this friendly advice: pray, repent, hope, and share your gifts. Spread hope to others and in doing so you magnify and glorify the Father.
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord! Amen.
