A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light,but came to testify to the light.
And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it,but admitted, “I am not the Christ.”So they asked him,“What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.”“ Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him,
"Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,‘ make straight the way of the Lord,’”as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him,“Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them,“I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,where John was baptizing.
The Gospel of the Lord
REFLECTION
John answered them,“I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”
Advent is a season of delightful and devout expectancy. We are preparing for Christmas in which the first coming of Jesus is remembered (His Birthday) and we look forward to His Second Coming at the end of time.
We are getting ready for His coming by fasting, attending penitential services, retreats, Masses and increasing our prayer life.
We are happy and nostalgic as carols remind us of family, home made ornaments take us back to our young, innocent children, meals fill us with memories of our mother's kitchen and memories of those who loved us.
In Advent we are reminded of John the Baptist, wearing a camel vest, eating locusts, wild honey and living in the wilderness. Rough, tough and stern in his message of repentance, he leads us to be His humble servants, present at the stable with baby Jesus in His crib as we exclaim, "Holy, Holy, Holy".
God chose him to testify to all of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This Sunday we are reminded of the joyful news that Jesus came to make a home in our souls, and in prayerful expectation we welcome Him, hopefully well prepared for His stay.
Comments