Et venit in omnem regiónem Jordánis, prædicans baptismum pœniténtiæ in remissiónem peccatórum, sicut scriptum est in libro sermónum Isaíæ prophétæ. Vox clamántis in desérto: Paráte viam Dómini | And he came into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of penance for the remission of sins, as it was written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the prophet: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord: make straight His paths. |
world. We must hasten our preparations and make our hearts worthy of Him.
The incarnation of the Word is the greatest proof of God’s infinite love for men; our liturgy very appropriately recalls to our mind the wonderful words: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore have I drawn you, taking pity on you.’ (Jer 31,3) Yes, God has loved man from all eternity, and in order to draw him to himself. He did not hesitate to send ‘His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.’ (Rom 8,3) With hearts full of love, we must run to meet Love who is about to appear ‘incarnate’ in the Infant Jesus. May it be a love that is faithful in great things as well as in small, an ingenious love that is always seeking opportunities to repay God’s infinite love. ‘Love is repaid by love!’ this is the motto which has made saints, and spurred a multitude of souls to greater generosity.
With this love prepare for Christmas, be in this love faithful, for as St Paul says in the epistle, (1 Cor 4, 1-5), ‘What we desire is that everyone may be found faithful.’
Fr Gabriel of Mary Magdalen OCD