My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus,

If there is one person who looms large in the season of Advent, it is John the Baptist.  If there is one individual in the season of Advent who points us in the right direction, it is John the Baptist.  His role is to direct us to the Light who is Christ Jesus. John the Baptist says “this way to the Light!”  The Gospel according to John says about John the Baptist, “There was a man sent from God whose name was John.  He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him.  He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.  The true light, which enlightens every person, was coming into the world.” 
 
John the Baptist, who with courage speaks truth to power, does not shy away from giving witness to Jesus, even when it would cost him his life.  His words, the manner of his life and his death as a martyr, faithfully point us to Christ, Light of the world.  He does so with humility, “One mightier than I is coming after me.  I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.”  He teaches us humility before God, who is our light and hope.  John the Baptist is a model for Christian living.
 
Advent is a season of hope and expectation.  It renews our hope in God and God’s saving act in the birth of Jesus.  As the Church teaches in the Universal Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, “Advent has a two-fold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time.  For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight.” 
 
May our devout observance of Advent bring delight to our souls.  May the fruit of St. Paul’s prayer, from his letter to the Philippians, strengthen and encourage us. “And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.”  
 
Questions to ponder / actions proposed for the second week of Advent:
 
John the Baptist says of himself that “I am the voice crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord.” 
  
In what ways can you become a person who, word or by action, directs others to Jesus?
 
How might you lift up your voice against injustice?
 
What might be effective ways for you to voice the promotion of civility, respect life, and the cultivation of peace?
 
~ Fr. Ron

Christmas Eve:

Monday, December 24th at 5 PM with the music of the Contemporary Choir