1 Jn 2:22-28 Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 Jn 1:19-28

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

I was a bit confused upon reading today’s Gospel.  If you have yet to read it, it is the exact same Gospel proclaimed during the third Sunday in Advent: John is baptizing in the Jordan; others believe he is either the Messiah, Elijah, or a Prophet. He tells them, “Make straight the way of the Lord. I baptize with water, but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”

The immediate question to enter my mind upon reading this was: ‘Why are we reading this again…so soon?’  We are still in the Christmas season; we have made straight the way of the Lord and we just re-welcomed him into our lives a little over a week ago.  Why must we be told this again?

Upon deeper reflection and prayer, the answer becomes simple.  Yes, we did indeed just welcome in the Christ.  But such is not an annual festivity; it is a daily calling.  As Christians, our daily actions are those that should reflect the constant re-welcoming of Christ; we are called to prepare the way of the Lord—and his Kingdom here on earth—in all that we say, think, and do.  Our challenge is to spread the love, forgiveness, and grace that Jesus himself spread.  We are called to follow Christ and to do all that we can to make Christ known to others.

As we start this new year of 2012, let us pray that we may not lose sight of our discernment and God’s daily vocations for each of us. Let us work together to spread love and kindness in as much as we are able.  Let us reflect the actions of Christ, our Savior.   Let us not forget to turn to God, in good times and in bad times.  Let us not be shy to let our faith shine.  Let us not be afraid to turn to others when we need them.  Let us not be afraid to accept others when they need us.  Let us not become too consumed in our own choices, in that we lose sight of God’s presence.  Let us recognize that we alone are not enough, and that we need God to save us.  Let us make straight the path.  Let us prepare the way of the Lord.