“Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will
prepare your way. A voice of one crying out
in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John the Baptist appeared in the desert
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins…And this is
what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I
is coming after me. I am not worthy to
stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:2-3, 7-8)
In the Gospel reading for the second
week of Advent, which is the same each year, we hear the story of the preaching
of John the Baptist. It is John’s job to prepare the Jews for the coming of the
Messiah; it is his job to ready their hearts for conversion, a conversion that
must begin with repentance.
In theory, we should be working on
our conversion every day of our lives, but we can easily become so busy that we
let God drift to the edge of our life. I know that I am guilty of this,
allowing myself to become too preoccupied with “getting everything done.” This
is why we need penitential seasons like Advent and Lent. They give us a time to
reevaluate our lives and recommit ourselves to living a Gospel lifestyle.
“John the Baptist’s appeal for conversion
rings out in our communities; it is a pressing invitation to open our hearts to
receive the Son of God who comes among us to make manifest the divine judgment. At the end of our days on earth, at the
moment of death, we will be evaluated on the basis of our likeness, or lack of
it, to the Child who is about to be born in the poor grotto of Bethlehem. Because He is the criterion of the measure
that God has given to humanity.” (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI)
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Photographs
Advent Wreath Blessed Sacrament Chapel Carmel Mission - L. A. Momboisse
Art
John the Baptist - Titian
Baptism of Christ - Francesco Alban
Tonight light the second candle of
your Advent Wreath
Advent Blessings from Lynn'sTimeless Treasures
Advent Blessings from Lynn'sTimeless Treasures
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Photographs
Advent Wreath Blessed Sacrament Chapel Carmel Mission - L. A. Momboisse
Art
John the Baptist - Titian
Baptism of Christ - Francesco Alban
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