This weekend’s passage from the Holy Gospel gives us a picture of John the Baptist in the desert announcing the coming of the Messiah. Actually all three readings focus on the absolute necessity of our getting ready for Christ’s coming. We are encouraged to ready ourselves by repenting, making amends for our wrongs and turning our lives around to bring us into oneness with Christ. The readings also remind us that the past coming of Jesus 2000 years ago, the present daily coming of Jesus into our lives through the Eucharist, the Scriptures and each other, and his future coming (“Second Coming”) are all part of God’s saving plan for us. During Advent, the preparation time for Christmas, we are invited to repent and to renew our lives so that Jesus may be reborn in us. Have you ever heard the famous quote of Alexander Pope, “What do I profit, if Jesus is born in thousands of cribs all over the world unless he is born in my heart and in my life?” Think about this. We can get so wound up in the commercialism of Christmas, that we miss the “reason for the season.”We need to allow Jesus to be reborn in our lives. If we allow that to happen, then people around us will recognize Jesus in us by observing our love for one another, our unconditional forgiveness (this is a tough one!!!), and our compassionate and merciful heart. Let us accept the challenge of John the Baptist and turn this Advent season into a real spiritual makeover by making the necessary preparations for the arrival of our Lord and Savior Jesus into our hearts and lives. In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, "How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas." He totally missed the big news – man had flown! Many of us are thrilled at the gifts, food and festivities of the holiday season, ignoring the fact that Christ’s birth is the true reason
for this “holiday season.” GOSPEL QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How do you need to change your life to be ready for the coming of Jesus into your heart?