Opening Prayer Series: Second Sunday of Advent Year B

The Opening Prayer for the Second Sunday of Advent Year B reads as follows:

Let us pray

(that nothing can hinder us from receiving Christ with joy)

God of power and mercy,

open our hearts in welcome.

Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy,

so that we may share His wisdom

and become one with Him

where He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

In making this prayer tangible for this coming week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1. What does it mean to me to receive Christ with joy? Can I remember this experience in my life?
2. What are the things that are hindering me from receiving Christ with joy? Name all of them.
3. What does it mean to me to have a welcoming heart and an open heart?
4. What are the the things that hinder my heart from being open and welcoming?
5. What is wisdom and why do I want to share in it?
6. Reflect on my life and prepare to make the paths straight by a good confession this advent.

In today's Gospel the advent figure of John the Baptist appears.  We are given a picture of what John''s appearance and message is to his followers. Obviously his appearance did not put people off because we are told  

'All Judea and the all the people of Jerasulem made their way to him 

to be baptised in the river Jordan'.

His message of repentance and his teaching was what attracted the people.  

In our age, we can get caught up with the appearances and miss out on the message.  It is like rejecting the gift because we do not like the wrapping paper or the card. In this time of Advent, let us prepare the way for the Lord, make straight his paths in our lives.  Let us listen to the message (gift) we are given by God through His Church, and not become distracted by the appearance (wrapping paper).

The Church's message has not changed- Repent and believe the good news. 

In this time of advent, we are invited to prepare the way of the Lord and make straight His paths.