In the Scriptures, whenever a message is given, there is a call for immediate action. When a messenger is sent, the response is to be given then. The Gospel today begins with a quote from the prophet Isaiah, that 'my messenger' will be sent to prepare the way of the Lord. So important is this messenger that St. Mark begins his gospel with the messenger who would cry out, "Prepare the way of the Lord." St. Mark begins with the ministry of St. John the Baptist. John gives a powerful sign in his baptism of repentance. The question is this: is the baptism of John the baptism we celebrate?
No.
John's baptism is half the equation. You will notice we are told people came to be baptized and they were confessing their sin. There is another place such a thing is done; it is done with the animal sacrifices (aka peace/sin offerings) done in the temple. The person brining the sacrifice would tell the priest the sin for which the sacrifice was being offered. We know from St. Luke's gospel that John the Baptist 's father, Zechariah, was a priest. John belonged to a priestly family. Hence that John is doing what he is doing mimics that sacrifice. It points to a shift away from the old way to something new. John, though, points out that what he is doing is insufficient; that one was coming who would baptize in the Holy Spirit. John has half the equation...Jesus would fulfill it.
While the confessing of sin and its attendant sorrow was necessary, prior to Christ, it wasn't enough to restore the relationship lost between God and humanity. When humanity chose sin over God, a rift happened. With that rift came a loss...what was lost was the divine life in us known as sanctifying grace. It would take more tyan confessing of sin to restore that. That would take an act of God who could also act on our part. The preparing the way of the Lord is that confession of sin so as to prepare ourselves for the gift God brings...the gift of sanctifying grace.
In baptism, near the beginning of the rite, we acknowledge the absence of sanctifying grace by a prayer of exorcism. We believe that this absence, also known as original sin, must be acknowledged as assuredly the sins of those plunging into the wayers of the Jordan had to acknowledged. We ask that having done this, by God's grace and will, our soul will be flooded with this sanctifying grace...that this mark of the baptism of the Holy Spirit leaves its mark in our souls. When an adult is baptized, we believe all of his or her sin is forgiven upon baptism. We complete that baptism with confirmation, that final baptismal sealing with chrism of the life of the Spirit.
This grace of which St. John speaks in the Gospel is given us after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I ask students the following: is it possible that after baptism a person would be able to stay in that state of sanctifying grace for the rest of their lives? Yes. Is it probable? No. Why, because we must do battle with a thing called concupiscence. Concupiscence is that desire to choose sin. Concupiscence must be fought. An rather odd detail is given to us about John the Baptist: he wears camel's hair and a leather belt and he eats wild honey and locusts. Why on earth tell us that? Do we reall need to know John's fashion sense and diet plan? Well...yeah. the significance is that he wears uncomfortable clothing and eats like a wild man shows a man completely detached from the comfort, pleasure, wealth, and power of the world. He has conquered the inclination to sin. Preparing the way of the Lord is more than confessing sin, which is necessary. It also includes a turning toward holiness.
Advent reminds us to prepare the way of the Lord in the same manner: turn from sin, turn to holiness, and allow the sanctifying grace of God to flood our souls. How well have we done battle with concupiscence? Have we fallen. Some sin is so grevious so as to sever the relationship with God and cast out that sanctifying grace. We cannot enter heaven without it. Sin that drives out sanctifying grace is known as mortal sin. Mortal sin has three components: serious matter (think 10 commandments, for example), full knowledge that it is wrong, and full use of free will. It's wrong, I know it's wrong, and I choose to do so anyway. It is as if I say to say," this lie...this porn...this gossip...this wanting to sleep in on Sunday is more important to me than my relationship with you." If we are to truly prepare the way of the Lord in our souls, the path to our soul must be decluttered of these sins.
We do this, again, through another sacrament:confession. Like baptism, before the sanctifying grace of God's love can be installed, we must confess that which blocks it. This time, it is not original sin that must be purged, but mortal sin. Like baptism, the confession of sin, though necessary, is incomplete without a willingness to turn to holiness and resolve to boldly battle concupiscence. God, for His part, shiws His mercy and once again restores that sacramental grace in us. So important is this that when Jesus first sees His apostles the day if the Resurrection, according to the Gospel of John, He gives them the duty to forgive sins in His name. Sanctifying grace can be given to finish what the confession of sin starts.
Do not let this Advent pass without your seeking that restoration of sanctifying grace. Even if it has been a awhile, seek out the grace necessary to prepare the way of the Lord way of the Lord. Let us not allow fear nor the delusion of pride blockade the path to our soul. Heed the words of St. John the Baptist and prepare by tge confession of sin so that God may restore in us what is lost by sin. Be not afraid. Trust in the Lord that He desires to forgiv and restore.
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