St John the Baptist, Supermodel of Response to the Call of God.

John the Baptist is the Voice of one crying in the Desert to prepare the Way of the Lord. Jesus is the Word of God of whom the Father said: Listen to Him. At the River Jordan, the Word embraced the Voice.

"When the messengers of John the Baptist had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John.

“What did you go out to the desert to see—a reed swayed by the wind?

"Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces.

"Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom Scripture says:

"Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.

"I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”

"(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors, who were baptized with the baptism of John, acknowledged the righteousness of God; but the Pharisees and scholars of the law, who were not baptized by him, rejected the plan of God for themselves.)"

Thursday December 15th of the 3rd Week of Advent.

This 3rd Week of Advent lectionary is filled with readings on St John the Baptist. Is this an accident? Not at all. Advent is the story of Waiting, the Season of learning what to wait for, why we wait and how to wait.

John the Baptist is the Supermodel of the people who Wait.
What are the characteristics of people who wait?
They are At Once People: They hear the Call. They answer it At Once. No going home to consider it. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the leader of the At Once People in the New Testament. She heard the message from the Archangel Gabriel, she said YES AT ONCE. She learned that Elizabeth was pregnant and the Holy Spirit inspired her to visit Elizabeth. Mary said Yes again At Once.

Other At Once People in the New Testament are: Simeon and Anna who waited for the birth of Jesus for decades. John and James, Peter and Andrew. All these people responded At Once to the Call of God. They marked their response with total dedication and generosity. This is why they are heroes of our Faith. Throughout Church history, countless heroic women and men have joined the ranks of the At Once People.

Say complete Yes to Jesus Now and be an At Once person.

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