Memorial of St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
The Church has purposely set aside these four weeks before Christmas as preparation time. During this time, we are supposed to be preparing to meet our Lord. This means looking at oneself and recognizing what we need to fix or change so as to have a clean heart and soul to meet the Savior of the Word. But there’s a problem, and it’s the same problem of the people of old, we don’t recognize the warnings. John the Baptist came and told the people to repent and to prepare the way of the Lord. How did that go over? From yesterday’s gospel, we know what some thought of him, that he was possessed!
Brothers and sisters, are we taking advantage of this preparation time? Or are we just doing the same thing? In our gospel today, Jesus says that Elijah (John the Baptist) had already come and that that the people didn’t recognize or pay any attention to him. This is your warning. We just have 10 more days before the arrival night of the Savior. Prepare! St. John of the Cross, pray for us.
Reflection by Fr. Macario Martinez, OSB
Posted in Articles for Advent, Daily Reflections