Vlad Bunoan

Article (news)

Fr RB

Fr. Raymund Benedict "RB" Hizon, SJ

Today, on this Second Sunday of Advent, we hear the powerful voice of John the Baptist crying out from the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.&quot; His call cuts through the chatter of the season, raising a plea as ancient as the Old Testament and yet as timely and relevant as a papal exhortation. Through the maddening din of the Christmas crowds, we may yet hear John’s voice ringing timely and true: Christ is coming. Clear the clutter!  Our lives, much like our homes right now, are likely cluttered. There is the existing stress of making ends meet; shopping for gifts and planning get-togethers add further strain. The pressure of playing host and planning parties are true for all families — in the cities or the barrio, in every household — rich or poor. The endless to-do lists, the distractions of social media, and the anxiety about whether or not we are truly preparing for Christmas — all these things somehow add up. All this clutter builds up, creating winding, distracting, uneven paths in our hearts, making it difficult for anyone else — even the Lord — to enter fully.Then enters this disquieting figure, his lone voice, solid and strong telling us to clear the clutter for one greater than he who is yet to come. John the Baptist, a man who lived simply in the desert, stripped of all worldly possessions, challenges us to simplify and de-clutter also our inner lives. He is not asking us to stop the festivities, skip the parties, forgo Noche Buena but rather to recognize whatever may obstruct, hinder or even delay the Lord’s coming into our lives and more importantly, how we ourselves might hinder the Lord from entering more fully into the lives of others — our families, friends, colleagues, and community. John tells the crowds, &quot;Repent and produce the appropriate fruit.”This is not about achieving perfection, practicing extreme frugality, or merely giving things up; it is about being intentional. It means recognizing whatever clutter in our heart blocks God’s grace: perhaps a lingering resentment we refuse to forgive, an addiction to comfort, or simply a frantic pace that leaves no room for quiet prayer or compassionate action.Integral to the season of Advent is the person and ministry of John the Baptist. He was, in every way, a strange character. Clothed in animal hair and dining solely on locusts and wild honey, he spent much of his time in the wilderness, far from human company. When he did come to town — that is, to where people lived — it was usually to scream at the top of his lungs, calling everyone to repentance in preparation for the Messiah&#x27;s arrival. No one was spared. He challenged the soldiers and the tax collectors. He called out the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Not even the commoners were exempt. While many of them were pious, some were not. And none were free from sin. John the Baptist was intolerant of sin and even less patient with hypocrites. His invitation to everyone was simple: produce fruits as evidence and signs that the Christ is near at hand especially in our own hearts!In this season of Advent, the church presents John the Baptist to us as a model. John teaches us that waiting for the coming of Christ is not merely a joyful if “passive” expectation — it is also careful and active preparation. It requires a commitment to de-clutter our inner lives but also making the world more ready and a little less cluttered for Christmas. Some points to ponder, pray over, or think about in the coming days:1. What specific &quot;clutter&quot; (e.g., anxieties, resentments, excessive to-do lists, social media distractions, an addiction to comfort) is currently obstructing the paths in your heart?2. John the Baptist challenges us to be intentional rather than passively waiting for Christmas. What is one concrete, actionable step you can take this week to &quot;de-clutter&quot; your inner life and create more room for quiet prayer or compassionate action?3. Our clutter can hinder the Lord from entering not just our lives, but the lives of others through us. How might you clear to be more fully present to your family, friends, or community this Advent season?

Beyond tidying homes for the holidays, Advent calls us to a more important clearing: the clutter within. John the Baptist reminds us that preparing for Christ begins in the heart.

Beyond tidying homes for the holidays, Advent calls us to a more important clearing: the clutter within. John the Baptist reminds us that preparing for Christ begins in the heart.

A Word on the Word: Clearing the clutter for Advent

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Lifestyle

A Word on the Word: Clearing the clutter for Advent

Fr. Raymund Benedict "RB" Hizon,

SJ

Published Dec 07, 2025 08:02 AM PHT

Read More:

Sunday reflection

gospel

Bible reading

Advent

ABSnews

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.