Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 7:24-30

When the messengers of John the Baptist had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John.  “What did you go out to the desert to see -- a reed swayed by the wind?  Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom Scripture says: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you. I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.” (All the people who listened, including the tax collectors, who were baptized with the baptism of John, acknowledged the righteousness of God; but the Pharisees and scholars of the law, who were not baptized by him, rejected the plan of God for themselves.)

If John is the greatest of men born of women, then how can he be the least in the kingdom of heaven?  This is really a question which asks, “Do you know who I am?”  Christ tells us that John the Baptist is more than a profit; he is the Consoler who was to make ready the way of the Lord.  “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.” John the Baptist sets in motion the restoration of the human race “divine likeness” with God which we imaged in the beginning.  In the book of Genesis, we learn that man was created in the image and likeness of God.  John the Baptist called us to repent and to change our ways for the coming of the Messiah.  He called us to divert our lives from sin and to lead a life according to God’s own plan.  “All the people who listened, including the tax collectors, who were baptized with the baptism of John, acknowledged the righteousness of God.”  Jesus not only brings about a new era, he brings about a new Baptism.  Through our Baptism, Jesus conveys upon us the fire of the Holy Spirit so that we may know the truth of the Gospel.  In our Baptism, we too are now called to make ready the way of the Lord.  We are called to be is Consoler who shouts from the mountain tops that Christ the King is here.  During this period of anticipation, we should reflect upon our own life.  You need to decide if you have “rejected the plan of God for themselves”.  We are created in His image and His likeness; therefore, we must realize that we are holy creatures made perfect for the kingdom of heaven.  It is our diversion from and denial of this image that separates us from the kingdom.  Right yourself and make ready the way of the Lord.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, help me make ready my heart.

That I can see you in all your glory.

Make ready my soul,

That I will celebrate your new birth in me,

So I will realize that I am the image and likeness of God.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon