Have you ever noticed how important a role the “wilderness” plays in Scripture? The children of Abraham spent forty years wandering in the wilderness until they learned to trust in Yahweh. Jeremiah prophesied that all those who survive the sword of God’s judgment find grace in the wilderness (Jeremiah 31:2). Even Jesus spent time in the wilderness, praying and fasting in preparation for his public ministry (Mark 1:12-13). It seems that if you want to get close to the Lord, you will encounter the wilderness at one point or another.

What is our wilderness? It’s our old life of sin and separation from God. It’s that part of us that remains wild and untamed, not yet surrendered to the Lord.

The good news that we are preparing to celebrate at Christmas is that we don’t have to wait until we have tamed the wilderness before we can come to Jesus. In fact, it works the other way around. We need to let Jesus in first, and then our wilderness will gradually be transformed.

Just as John the Baptist invited people into the wilderness to be baptized, so Jesus is inviting us into the wilderness. As we enter those darkened, wild places of our lives, we may be surprised to see Jesus right there as well, offering us his healing and restoration. He is right there, ready to clear away the brush, turn the burning sand into a lush garden, and fill the empty landscape with every possible good fruit.

Our sins are already forgiven. Jesus has already paid the price. All we need to do is run to him and ask for his forgiveness and healing. Know that as you repent of your sins, you will experience Jesus’ refreshing mercy to help you start anew.

“Thank you, Jesus, that you are ready to step into my wilderness and tame it for me. Thank you for your love and your mercy. Help me to be more aware of my sins so that I may bring them to you and know your forgiveness.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. In the first reading today, Isaiah speaks of “rugged land” being made a “plain” and “rough country” being made a “broad valley.” What are the rugged and rough parts of your life the Lord wants to transform this Advent?
2. The responsorial psalm speaks of the close relationship between kindness and truth and between justice and peace saying they shall “meet” and “kiss.” Many papal teaching have been focused on charity and justice as the way to “peace.” As we reflect on the coming of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, during this Advent Season, what specifically can you do to help restore justice and peace within your family, or among family members -- for example, in any relationships that have gone sour?
3. In the second reading, St. Peter tells us to conduct ourselves “in holiness and devotion.” What small steps or religious practices can you adopt this Advent in order to make Christmas a more grace-filled time?
4. The Gospel reading speaks of preparing the way of the Lord. What can you do this Advent to help your family, your friends, or your co-workers receive Christ, or deepen their relationship with him?
5. In the Gospel, St. John the Baptist also proclaims the need for repentance and forgiveness of sins. Make a commitment to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Christmas season. What are some ways that you and your family can prepare for it, so that you and they will experience more deeply the Lord’s forgiveness of sins?
6. In today’s meditation, we are reminded that Christ will help us tame the wilderness areas of “our old life of sin and separation from God. It’s that part of us that remains wild and untamed, not yet surrendered to the Lord.” But more than that, the meditation goes on to say, “Know that as you repent of your sins, you will experience Jesus’ refreshing mercy to help you start anew.” In addition to experiencing Christ’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we also receive power to “start anew,” and live a new life. What aspects of your old life do you believe God wants to “put to death,” and what elements of a new life do you want to begin?
7. End your men’s meeting with prayers for one another, and continue to pray that this ‘new life” in the Lord would become a greater reality in each of your lives.

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen