Prepare a Way

This weekend we hear John the Baptist proclaim: Prepare a way for the Lord. In other words, the call of John the Baptist is: Make space for God to come into your life. Prepare a way for Him to be part of your life. Allow Him to move and change your life.

How are you preparing a way for the Lord? Or, is your focus less on the Lord and more on preparing a way for something else you desire to “give birth” in your life? Your fruitfulness for the Kingdom of God (or lack thereof) will show where your real focus has been.

For example, consider… 

• Have you made a way for God’s voice to speak and for you to speak to God in your prayer life?
• Have you been regularly seeking God’s graces through the Sacraments, allowing them to work in your life? 
• Have you been reading Scripture, truly trying to understand God and His ways and apply those learnings to your life?
• Are God’s love, care and mercy revealed in how you treat your spouse, family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers?
• Are charity and justice part of your priorities? Have you served others, done charitable works, volunteered, given alms, and/or done anything that brings forth a more charitable and just world? Have you lived generously from God’s generous gifts to you? 
• Have you been growing in virtue? Have you been letting God transform your attitudes and behaviors, or have you been resistant to change even when you know He is calling you to?
• What is your true end goal lately? Is it living a closer life with God or is it something else? What is distracting you from a life closely lived with God?

This Advent and as we begin a new liturgical year, reflect on how you are preparing a way for the Lord through your day to day choices. 
Consider: What needs to change and what do you need to repent of to prepare a way for the Lord in your life?