The way to receive the Word

The Gospel often reminds us to be alert, to stay awake, and to be watchful, especially during the time of Advent. We hear John the Baptist admonishing us to prepare the way of the Lord by filling valleys and levelling mountains and straightening the way. In this way we see the power of God saving us.

For years I only thought of the need to change my life so that I’ll be ready for Christmas. How does one prepare the way of the Lord? How does one block the way of the Lord? And how does the Lord come to me?


It all depends on the way I receive the Word. That’s what Christmas is all about: the Word made flesh. It is this Word that comes to me and, somehow, I obstruct it, bend it, oppose it, disbelieve it, and doubt it from being true. God’s word comes to me and tells me that He loves me. But I say, it cannot be! How can God love me? Who am I? Why should He?

And so during Advent, before this Word comes to me, he sends his messenger telling me to prepare the way of the Lord! And this Word comes to me as flesh now, so I can’t continue to argue about it but to relate to it. It’s a relation where I allow this love of God to enter into my life and deal with it on this level.

But perhaps you need to be in the desert to hear such a word and to be ready for such a word. Perhaps we need to go there first. In the desert this Word is received better than in the city, in our comfort zones, where we have all we need. Perhaps!