Called To Change

John the Baptist appears in his role as messenger and baptizer.  He is dressed in camel's hair and a leather belt; he eats locusts and wild honey and proclaims that one mightier than he is to come, one whose sandals he is not worthy to untie, one who will baptize in the Spirit. (cf Mk 1:1-8).  Can you picture lines of people confessing their sins and waiting for the cleansing waters of baptism to wash over them as they were immersed in the river Jordan.  St. Mark waists no time in his first chapter and verses to get right to the heart of the matter.  John calls for a change in life-style with the strength and directness of a man with a mission, a man with a passion.  He is intense, he lives what he preaches, as evidenced by his "clothing" and diet.  He means business, he means to inspire.  Do we see ourselves in the multitude awaiting the baptism of repentance he offers?  We are blessed to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation as our equivalent to John's baptism.  Is it on our "to do list" for Advent?  Christmas music and Christmas programs put us in the "Christmas Spirit" but do they do so as effectively as following the Advent Preparation offered by John the Baptist?  If we take Advent seriously and want to change our behaviors, we cannot ignore his message.
Bro. Rene