How and what we see influences so powerfully how we
judge people and events in our world. Look how wrong the people of John's time
were in how they judged. Even though the Jews rushed out to the desert to see
this odd, fascinating figure they referred to as John the Baptizer, how many
were just curious to see the spectacle? True, a number took to heart his
warnings to repent of their sins. They even let this strange man baptize them
in the Jordan. But how many others just laughed at the show and forgot about
him the following week? We need, all of us, to see as God sees!
How can we make this Advent a time for new vision and
understand the stupendous truth of God coming to earth as a little child? Even
though there will be thousands of glittering Christmas lights all around us,
how can I get excited at another breakthrough into our dark world of the
dazzling light of Jesus, my Lord and Messiah? It takes deep reflection to
appreciate the reality of history. What humility it took for God to come as an
ordinary poor man! In Jesus’ time, every Jewish male was required to make the
pilgrimage to Jerusalem and offer his praise to God. For thirty whole years, no
one noticed Him except a few poor shepherds and some foreign scholars we call
the "wise men." The Lord expects much more from us.
Advent is a dangerous season if we see it merely with
the eyes of an increasingly unreligious society. Advent is a time to prepare to
really see the coming of the Messiah as both historical event and as present
miracle. I must work every day at improving my spiritual vision through reading
and prayer, so that a kind of miracle can happen to me personally. This Second
Sunday is an important one, because it calls forth from all of us new efforts
at heeding the voice of John the Baptizer. John preached a message of
repentance for spiritual blindness. He proclaimed the coming of Light into
darkness, a Light by which, through works of Love and Justice, we could build a
highway toward eventual Peace. Advent is a time for patience, penance, and
renewal of heart.
Day 7 of our novena to St. Peregrine for Darlene et al. Please keep praying. She has surgery on Tuesday December 6.
My
rosary intention for today is for Father Sam Woods, who will say his first Mass
of Thanksgiving after his ordination 2 weeks ago. Also, I pray for an increase in vocations to
the priesthood and religious life.
Heavenly Father, help me to be more like John the
Baptizer in announcing the impending arrival of Your Son. Help me to become a strong “voice in the
wilderness”, preparing the way of the Lord.
Amen.
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