Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

Today's Mass Readings

 

It’s the rock stars and the superstars who make the big splash! Just think of the hype, the fireworks, the flashing lights, and the rock music that usher them into the stadiums of our minds! It doesn’t take too much imagination to visualize the Prophet Elijah as the superstar of his day, even complete with fiery chariot! Naturally, when the scribes and the common people thought about God again speaking to the people, of course, Elijah the flashy one, would get the call.

The words of Jesus in the Gospel today turn expectations upside down. Yes, Jesus implies, God is speaking to those who would listen, but don’t look to the artificial glitter of the superstar. Meet John the Baptist, fasting and wearing animal skins, who comes with a radical message. John calls people to get real, prepare for Someone who calls them to a new level of truth and fullness.

Our nugget of wisdom today might challenge us to notice what captures our interest when it comes to self-improvement. Have we bought into living with false glitter, or do we invest in the living words of Jesus: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life?”

Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB

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