This coming Sunday is already the second one for Advent. How's it going for you? Have you begun to deepen your prayer life? Are you really understanding "the reason for the season"?
As Catholics we understand that Jesus already has come, and that we await his second coming. Advent reminds us both of his first coming here on earth as the infant Jesus, in the cold dark manger, in the city of Bethlehem.
This Sunday we again listen to the words of John the Baptist. His words ring out with hope in the wilderness of pessimism that exists in the world today. We also read Isaiah who preaches comfort to God's sinful people. He will gather them in like a shepherd gathering in his lost sheep.
St. Peter also reminds us that to God, a thousand years is like a blink of an eye. Yet we become so impatient with Him when we pray and he doesn't seem to give us the answer we want to hear, or it doesn't come fast enough for us.
Why did so many people listen to John the Baptist? Why were so many people impressed with him? This was a man who lived what he preached. He literally was a walking example of what St. Francis is always paraphrased as saying; Preach the Gospel, use words only if necessary (sorry for my paraphrase as well).
This is our challenge then as Catholic Christians. To live as a voice crying out in the wilderness, and do it each and every day of our lives. We must call upon Him to give us strength to teach the truths of the faith to our families, our friends, those we meet every day. We need to do this by word and by example.
Our world is a challenging place, we have been given a mission as baptized Catholics. Let's go forth this Advent and be the difference the world needs today.
In Christ,
Deacon Tom
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