reflections for the third sunday of advent

The words and the work of John the Baptist were a prelude to the words and the work of the coming Messiah. People sought John for answers to their individual concerns. He dealt with each one in accordance to what the Messiah himself would say and do. Because of the intensity of his call, people mistook him for the Messiah himself. In great humility, however, John made it clear to everybody that the Messiah to come was far mightier than he was. John's baptism was simply a call to repentance as a preparation for the coming of the Promised One. The baptism of the Messiah, carried out in the Holy Spirit and in fire, is the endowment, the giving of life.

As we wait for Him too and as we are filled with anticipation, let that waiting and anticipation be characterized by a great humility - the humility of the people who subjected themselves to the baptism of John, and repentant, sought the Baptist's guidance, and the humility of John himself who knew where he stood in terms of the One whose coming he was proclaiming. The meaning of the Messiah's coming will only hit home if we too have the boldness to admit who we are in the light of the sinfulness and our need for Him. We pray to Him to come and drive the darkness that can otherwise demolish the spark of life the Creator has adorned us with. We pray to Him to fill us, who open our heartsa and lives to Him, with his amazing graze and His enduring love.


Fr Jess A Enciso