Today’s Gospel is St. Luke’s account of the birth of John the Baptist. As I read the Gospel I was reminded of a reflection I had once read by Father Peter John Cameron, O.P., who wrote that John’s birth is a “sacred reminder” of things that we need born in our lives each day.
Following are Fr. Cameron’s list of reminders, along with my suggestion of where you reflection on them might lead you as we approach the end of Advent.
Johns birth is a reminder that we need:
“someone who leaps with joy before the presence of the Lord making me want to live my own relationship with Jesus with greater ardor and fervor”
Is my joy in the Jesus evident to others? Do I have sufficient ardor and fervor for God?
“someone who turns my attention away from my distractions and preconceptions so that I will behold the Lamb of God as the true desire of my heart”
Am I distracted in my prayer? What keeps me from recognizing Jesus as the true desire of my heart?
“somone who models for me that there is no greater joy in my life than for Jesus to increase and for me to decrease, especially as regards my self-reliance, my self-assertion, my self-importance”
Am I willing to depend on Jesus rather than on myself? What does it mean to me to die to myself so that I may live in Christ?
“someone so committed to the truth that he is willing to lay down his life for the Truth-made-flesh – witnessing to me that all true happiness comes through self-sacrifice.”
Do I have the faith of John? Would I give up all for the sake of Christ?
Perhaps you might take one of these to prayer today.
Creo en Dios! 