We hear a lot from John the Baptist during the holy season of Advent. John witnesses to the coming of Jesus in many different ways. He leaped in his mother’s womb in the presence of Jesus and Mary. He prepared a way for the coming of the Lord by baptizing the people of Ancient Israel in the Jordan River, by proclaiming God’s Kingdom and by calling them to renewal and repentance. Although Jesus states that John indeed was a light shining in the wilderness to give testimony, he does not accept any testimony, because he has been given authority by the Father as the Son of God. John, as a mere human being, stated that he was not worthy to carry Jesus’ sandals. By Christ performing healings and other miracles, he proclaimed God’s Kingdom and provided evidence to the people.
I think of how we have little miracle happening all around us. I remember a patient I visited in the hospital telling me that the greatest church he ever visited was in a small town in Wyoming, where the window in back of the altar looked out on the Grand Teton mountain range, a place of worship not built out of human hands, but rather a place of worship built directly by God. Yet, it requires a heart of faith to be able to recognize something as coming from God. May God open our eyes and refresh our hearts during this holy Advent season of preparation as we continue our journey toward our celebration of the birth of our savior.
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