Second Sunday of Advent
"Mk 1:1-8"
"Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." John the baptiser appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins."
St John the Baptist was "the voice" that God had sent before His coming to prepare the people of Israel. John didn't just talk: he had to cry in the wilderness to make himself heard by the people. After listening to his preaching, people repented for their sins and confessed them. But this was all a preparation. St John didn't even have authority to absolve sins as priests have now.
The best preparation for the coming of Our Lord was to repent, to confess their sins and to begin a new life. In the same way, Advent invites us to prepare for the coming of Jesus with the sacrament of Penance. The difference is that the people who confessed their sins to John could only expect that God would one day forgive them. But the treasure of the sacrament of Confession is that in it God really does forgive our sins forever.
Two boys were spending their holidays with their uncle, a fine art auctioneer. One day they attended an auction. First a large canvas portraying a soldier was auctioned. The boys were surprised to see that someone bought it for a very small price. But later, a small picture was displayed, with the paint so dirty and faded that it was difficult to see what it actually portrayed. It was sold for a fortune! On the way back the boys asked their uncle the reason for this. The man explained that this piece had been painted by a great artist and all his works were always very valuable. And even if it was dirty and damaged, with the proper restoration it could decorate the walls of any museum. The same happens with our souls. They all come from a Great Artist. They may be a bit battered, but in the hands of the same Artist (who is also Restorer in the sacrament of Penance) they can be as good as new - priceless, in fact. Mary, my Mother, help me make good use of the sacrament of Confession.
