Worcester, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Chaparral, NM
Baruch 5: 1-9
Philippians 1: 4-6, 8-11
Luke 3: 1-6
All flesh will see the salvation of God...
The Gospel of today tells us that the Word of God awakens Johns prophetic vocation. He is the one who has been called to prepare the way of the Lord. His mission is to proclaim that God is at work and to invite people to conversion.
His call is, first of all, a revelation of God, the proclamation of a magnificient promise: All flesh will see the salvation of God. God goes forth to meet man. God will come into humanitys desert. God has decided to throw down the obstacles to the Covenant, to fill in what separates us from God and to make what is twisted straight.
The book of Baruch proclaims Good News that cannot leave us indifferent. The joyous proclamation inspires hope in us: Take off your robe of sadness and distressGet up It invites us to change our ways: Put on the mantle of Gods justice. If we should be tempted to say: It is too much for me, beyond my strength, the rest of the text opens a path out of our discouragement: God will lead [you] in joy, in the light of his glory, giving his mercy and justice as escort.
God does not leave us to our own devices. Johns call to conversion is a call to let God into our personal and common history. Thus the promise of universal salvation is fulfilled. With hearts humbly turned towards God, let us welcome the sovereign proximity of God made Man. Do we know how to be open and welcoming so that God can accomplish in us the work of simplication that will unify our life in God? Following the example of Paul, let us ask for each other the grace of intelligence of heart, of light to discern the essential. Let us support each other by prayer and fraternal care so that we can go forward to the Day of Christ without stumbling.
- Sr. Sophie Ramond, RA