From The Pastor 12-11-2016

Again we confront the charismatic figure of Saint John the Baptist in our gospel this weekend. The person of Saint John the Baptist loomed large in the life of the early Church because of his importance as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. He is the one who is the great prophet who, like he prophets of old, look forward to the coming of the Messiah and who privileged to see him in the flesh! Aren’t the ways of the Lord a marvelous thing to behold! For thousands of years, prophets and kings and people awaited the dawn of salvation but it was this wild man from the desert who prepares his way. The mighty and the powerful sought him but it was to a young virgin to whom he is to be born. I think John the Baptist (and Mary) remind us that we are called to both be patient as the Lord reveals his plan for humanity but also full of hope that the plan will be fulfilled. Patience and hope! Those are probably two things that we modern day Christians need in abundance.

This Season of Advent calls us to be patient as we prepare for the birthday of our Savior. It also calls us to be filled with hope that the deepest longings of our hearts will be fulfilled!

Father Al