Candlelight-Mass-2017-06

Advent: John the Baptizer’s Guide to Christ

December 10, 2017 , , ,

Monsignor Michael Billian: Advent is a time for us to decide, are we going to respond to God’s plan in our lives, are we going to be active about responding?

John the Baptizer’s Guide to Christ:

  1. I am not God.
  2. Keep a simple lifestyle. Keep down the distractions in life so that we can focus on Christ.
  3. Embrace repentance.
  4. Drop our egos and our pride.
  5. Expect to meet Christ.

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way.
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.”
John the Baptist appeared in the desert
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
People of the whole Judean countryside
and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.
John was clothed in camel’s hair,
with a leather belt around his waist.
He fed on locusts and wild honey.
And this is what he proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”