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Spiritual Reflection
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December 13, 2009 | | | |  | Spiritual Reflection for Third Sunday of Advent
December 13, 2009
John prepared the way for Jesus.
Today's Gospel begins with a lot of people listening to John the Baptist. There are Roman soldiers who were part of an occupying army known for its strong-armed tactics. There are tax collectors who have grown wealthy by overcharging the people. Greed, immorality, bitterness – all sorts of sins – haunt those gathered there. But just as the sick seek out a doctor, so it is that those who are sick with sin have come to hear the preacher. And one by one, the people step into the Jordan to be baptized a a sign of their repentance for their sins.
So powerful were the words of John the Baptist that it is not surprising that many wondered if he might be the promised Christ. It was the calling and privilege of John the Baptist, however, to prepare the way of the Lord. John sought to turn the people from any sort of idol that they would trust more than God. He preached about repentance, love and forgiveness, and proclaimed the One – mightier than he – was coming. This person would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. And this Baptism would bring salvation.
Having prepared the way of the Lord, John would soon point out Jesus Christ in the crowd and declare: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Let us take time today to reflect on the humility and holiness of John the Baptist. Let us see how we can learn from him as we, too, are called to help prepare the way for Jesus in our thoughts, words and actions of kindness and love. | | | | | |
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 Our Lady of Lourdes - In 1858, in a grotto, near Lourdes in southern France, Our Lady appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl. She revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, asked that a chapel be built on the site of the vision, and told the girl to drink from a fountain in the grotto. When Bernadette dug at a spot designated by the apparition, a spring began to flow. The water from this still flowing spring has shown remarkable healing power, though it contains no curative property that science can identify. Lourdes has become the most famous modern shrine of Our Lady. |
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