Opening Prayer

I become aware of my breathing. May I draw in the presence of your love as I breathe in and out, filling me with peace. As I inhale and exhale, I do so with an attitude of gratitude for this breath of life.

Scripture

Matthew 3:1-12

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ”

Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance, and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Reflection

As we journey on our pilgrim way with John the Baptist, we see how he opens a new way of seeing things. Sometimes we can push through without reflecting or listening, instead getting distracted endlessly going around in circles. In this passage, John left the desert, travelling all the regions around the Jordon, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. My late husband’s way of climbing Croagh Patrick (a holy mountain dedicated to St Patrick) was barefoot, a traditional way of penance. My young son at the time attempted it too, barefoot, but it was too difficult; he changed his mind and put his sandals back on. I didn’t even try climbing without shoes; it wasn’t my way. John the Baptist says Jesus will baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Opening our hearts to God with fire symbolises igniting a passionate, transformative love and not being complacent but having a fervent desire for God in our hearts.  The Holy Spirit knows what we need to be on fire. He knows how to stoke the fire so we can prepare the way for the Lord. Perhaps the spirit is calling us to change and adopt a new approach, one suited to our personalities and way of life. With all that we have on our minds during one of the busiest times of the year, may we give space for our hearts to connect with the spirit so we can prepare for the coming of Christ.

Reflection Prayer

Lord, show me how to prepare the way for you in my life.
Kindle in me the fire of your Spirit, guiding me in the path that is mine to walk.
Help me to listen and change if the Spirit is calling me, and to make space for greater love in my life.

Concluding Prayer   

“I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work.” 

– St. John Henry Newman