Home Page
To Sunday Gospel Reflections Index

John the Baptist is a critical figure in our Advent preparations.

He was handpicked by God the Father to be the herald of the Messiah. He is the famed cousin who began his mission in the womb of Elizabeth. John is the last of the Old Testament prophets and first of the New Testament. He is the person whom Jesus praises in Luke’s Gospel with those remarkable words: “I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John.” (Lk 7:28) It makes sense to give particular attention to John the Baptist as we travel through Advent.

John’s principal message was “Repent!” Therefore, we need to take this challenge seriously. The Gospels are clear — preparation for a proper celebration of Christmas demands a focused act of true sorrow for our sins. God is saying that we cannot fully appreciate the gift of his son, and the light, joy, and humility associated with his simple entrance into this world without addressing our brokenness and sin.

Sin darkens our minds. It clouds our eyes. Sin clogs our hearts and stiffens our will. In other words, sin prevents us from grasping the beauty of the truth that Jesus came to reveal regarding God and the life he invites us to live. Sin and the vestiges of sin make it hard for us to open our hearts to the love poured out in Christ, which is beyond measure. Sin is a roadblock to developing a burning desire to do the will of the Father in imitation of Jesus and Mary. Sin makes it impossible to share in the fullness of life that Jesus so greatly desires to share with us. In fact, serious sins cut off that life completely.

So, we need to make it a priority to listen to John the Baptist and repent this Advent. This means that we should beg for the grace of true contrition for our sins, a genuine, heartfelt, even tearful sorrow for all that we have done to offend God, hurt our neighbor and harm ourselves. It is a summons to carve out of this busy season a period of time, perhaps a morning or afternoon, to thoroughly examine our conscience. It includes laying our sins honestly and humbly at the feet of Our Lord in the sacrament of penance. It also includes begging the Holy Spirit for an increased desire to never commit those sins again. Finally, we should ask God as well for the grace to discern well the most effective means of avoiding those sins down the road.

John the Baptist tosses out one more element of repentance. He tells those who have gathered around him, “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.” When we have been transformed by the forgiveness and healing that comes from God’s tender mercy, we cannot help but go out into the world and pass along the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are compelled to share the gift of God with others. That sharing comes in many forms including bringing young people closer to Christ, visiting the homebound or those in jail, providing for the spiritual and physical needs of the poor, or advocating for the unborn or persons with disabilities. God desires that we bear fruit for his kingdom.

Advent is a wonderful season of preparation. All preparations for big celebrations include a good cleaning. Please do not blow off the loud call of John the Baptist, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”