Advent IV- Philippians 4; John 1:19-28

On this Fourth Sunday in Advent, the Epistle from Philippians 4:4-7 has a lighter tone. It exhorts us to rejoice, and it reminds us that "the Lord is at hand." Despite the serious human condition and its sinfulness, there is a true reason for joy and hope. Our joy and hope come from the peace that God offers through Jesus Christ.

The Gospel from St. John 1:19-28, like the one for last Sunday, is another Advent reference to the message of John the Baptist. When asked who he is, John refuses the usual titles. He will only admit to being "the voice of one crying in the wilderness" (John 1:23; Isaiah 40:3). He makes the way ready for the Lord; he points to the One coming after him, the One who is much greater. 

John the Baptist reminds us that the way for the Messiah or Christ must be prepared. Because the One who is to come is so great and so holy, we must take His coming into our lives very seriously. Our preparations for Him should be greater than our preparations for any ordinary human guest.

Preparation is necessary, especially in spiritual matters. Thus, a genuine appreciation of Christmas requires thoughtful reflection. A religious Christmas does not happen by accident. Spiritual preparation is usually needed for a meaningful celebration of Christ's birth. We need to reflect and pray about the redemption He brings. And we should also remember that Christ continues to come to us. He comes to us each day and each week in Word and in Sacrament. He offers us His grace, mercy, and peace.

Advent III- Matthew 11:2-15

 The Gospel for the Third Sunday in Advent is from Matthew 11:2-15. In this selection, John the Baptist is in prison awaiting Herod Antipas' judgment. John sends two of his followers to meet Jesus. They ask if Jesus is the expected Messiah. 

Jesus replies to them with a two-fold proclamation. First, He points to the miraculous and redemptive acts taking place in His own ministry. These works fulfill the Messianic prophecies. Secondly, Jesus points to the purpose and value of John the Baptist's ministry. John is the prophetic forerunner of the messianic Redeemer. Finally, Jesus concludes with an exhortation. Those who have ears should hear; that means that they should be perceptive about the contemporary religious circumstances. They should realize what God is doing in the ministry of John the Baptist and in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus is the Christ who fulfills the ministry of John and all the biblical prophets. 

During Advent, we focus on the prophecies about the coming of the Christ. Among the Hebrew prophets, John the Baptist has a special role. We should honor him, but we should also look beyond him. We should look to Jesus, who gives meaning to the work of all the prophets. May we be sensitive and perceptive regarding God's redemptive work in the past and in our own lives!

Saint John the Baptist- 24 June- Luke 1:57-80

 The Nativity or Birth of St. John the Baptist is observed on June 24 June, six months before Christmas Eve. The Gospel from St. Luke 1 is about the birth and naming of John. It contains his father Zacharias' hymn, the Benedictus.  The significance of today's Gospel is nicely summarized in Cranmer's 1549 collect:

Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Saviour by preaching repentance; Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.