“…his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.” – Lk 1:64
Advent is a season, not one day because our hearts do not open all at once. Preparation demands reflection, prayer and action. Today’s gospel turns our attention to John the Baptizer, whose ministry reminds us not simply to welcome the birth of Jesus, but to open our hearts to respond to the Lamb of God who comes for the forgiveness of our sins.
Throughout Advent we realize that our response to God must be our very life, freely offered to the world as a sign of God’s love. Elizabeth trusted the Lord and that trust filled her with the courage to respond to God despite the noise of others. John too trusted the Lord and it filled him with both zeal and humility to prepare the way and act with God’s will.
When I was 18 and graduating, Brother Bonaventure gifted each senior a copy of the “Good News New Testament.” It came with the message that the preparation we received was not simply for college and worldly success, but for us to respond to the call to live a life of love as disciples of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Secular society would have us believe we are formed by and for the things of this world. Advent reminds us that each of us is created by the God of love in God’s image and according to God’s likeness, to be a unique expression of that love. Let us praise and bless God with our words and deeds, our very being.
Lord purify my heart and my intentions. Burn away the fears and pride that restrict me. Cleanse me of the attachments that chain me. I know you are with me. Help me to respond to your call and to be a faithful servant of Your will. Amen.
Kevin Shearer