Both of the readings for mass today have to do with preparations for the arrival of baby Jesus. The first reading says, “Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me.” And, the gospel today is about the birth of John the Baptist, who was predestined to prepare the way of the Lord immediately before his public ministry began. There was a great deal of preparation for the birth of the son of God throughout mankind’s history too. The prophets began speaking about the coming of Christ, over 600 years before his actual birth.
Throughout the whole world right now, Christians are finishing their final preparations for Christmas, however big or small that might be. It is all too easy for some of us to feel like “Martha” who was overburdened preparing the Lord’s dinner at her house without enough help. However, we should remember to be more like “Mary” who had the better part sitting at Christ’s feet. It may be time to simplify things and get back to what is important, like some quiet time for prayer.
No matter how perfect, or beautiful or joyful we try to make the holidays be, it will never be as perfect as we would like it to. That’s ok though, because if we were all perfect people, we would have no need for Christ. Jesus was the only perfect human being. However, Christ does want us to become better, more perfect people. The first reading for mass tells us that the Lord will sit refining and purifying us like silver or gold, so that we can worship him more worthily. That is what a good examination of conscience and the sacrament of reconciliation is like too. Confession refines us by getting rid of all of the excess sins, both large and small that dim the light our souls. A squeaky clean soul shines most beautifully before the Lord.
The gospel today talks about Elizabeth and Zachariah’s neighbors who rejoiced with them over the birth of their son. We are preparing to rejoice with our families, friends and parish community at Christmas as well. This is really what it’s all about. The confession we hopefully went to during advent, our worship and communion with Jesus at Christmas mass, and the celebrations with our family and friends.
There was a word of warning in the first reading for mass today though, and the gospel as well, to remember what is most important in our lives. Christ came, “To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers”. And, the gospel also speaks of Zachariah’s heart being turned toward God first, and then his newborn son. Zachariah obeyed God by writing the name that the angel Gabriel had instructed him to name his son. He did this first. Our priorities for the next two days should be to focus on Jesus first, and then our families as well.
