..Repentence - A way to Bethlehem ..
Dear sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ,
It snows a lot in these days.
Therefore, since 1 week ,we had to drive our vehicles here along the streets with great difficulty .
Here plays the snowplough a great role.
Therefore, since 1 week ,we had to drive our vehicles here along the streets with great difficulty .
Here plays the snowplough a great role.
When a snow plough clears away the snow and often sprinkles salt along the street, we are happy and have no fear.
The more cleared are the roads ,the easier the ride is.
As the snowplough has a great role in this forthcoming Winter season, today-on 2 Advent Sunday in the Liturgical year, we see the great role of the forerunner of Jesus, i.e. John -the Baptist.
Advent is the time for preparing for the birth of Jesus and the arrival of Jesus in our hearts.
In today's Gospel we see a person who prepared the people.
John the Baptist is the central figure in today's Gospel.
His example is the message for us today.
John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus.
Although he was from a priestly family, he did not live alike. He lived in deserts and had the life style like that of the ‘ aborigines’. He had the robe made of camel hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, grasshoppers and wild honey were his food (Cf.Mt.3.4). Thus we read in the Gospel.
But his words were spiritually strong and powerful. Many have gone to him. They confessed their sins and were baptized by him.
The more cleared are the roads ,the easier the ride is.
As the snowplough has a great role in this forthcoming Winter season, today-on 2 Advent Sunday in the Liturgical year, we see the great role of the forerunner of Jesus, i.e. John -the Baptist.
Advent is the time for preparing for the birth of Jesus and the arrival of Jesus in our hearts.
In today's Gospel we see a person who prepared the people.
John the Baptist is the central figure in today's Gospel.
His example is the message for us today.
John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus.
Although he was from a priestly family, he did not live alike. He lived in deserts and had the life style like that of the ‘ aborigines’. He had the robe made of camel hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, grasshoppers and wild honey were his food (Cf.Mt.3.4). Thus we read in the Gospel.
But his words were spiritually strong and powerful. Many have gone to him. They confessed their sins and were baptized by him.
His life and his preaching was spiritual enough to move ‘the- then- Jews’ from their sinful ways to turn back. His message was mostly about "repentence" ...''Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand''(Mt.3.2). He was a real prophet who knew that Jesus was the Son of God. Therefore, he says: "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Mt.3.11)
He was a true prophet who had the awareness of the reality . Although a large group followed him, he was ready to accept Jesus and his power. Therefore, he says, "I baptize you with water as a sign of repentance. But he who comes after me is mightier than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals (Mt.3.11). "The example of a proper humility.
John the Baptist is also one, as Jesus , who speaks unkindly with the then Pharisees and Sadducees because of their hypocrisy and arrogance. He calls them as vipers.
He advised his audience to bring fruits of repentance (Mt.3.8)
John the Baptist is also one, as Jesus , who speaks unkindly with the then Pharisees and Sadducees because of their hypocrisy and arrogance. He calls them as vipers.
He advised his audience to bring fruits of repentance (Mt.3.8)
Snow in winter is white, but on the trees there are no fruits below the snow in winter.
The preparation time for the arrival of Jesus must not be so.
With the symbols and the signs we use to look at the meaning of the season and to remind especially the advent time, we do not have to abide by the customs. But the religious symbols and signs should help our lives to improve a bit better as Jesus wishes them to be.
‘The Green Wreath’(=Adventkranz), a symbol of life and unity - can have no meaning even if one celebrates it very festive with a life without hope and unity in life .
Although the light of the four Advent candles intends to show the gradual rise to the full light of Christmas, it means nothing if one has not the right way and no real faith in God's light or has no good relations with other people, although he celebrates it very festive.
Although the light of the four Advent candles intends to show the gradual rise to the full light of Christmas, it means nothing if one has not the right way and no real faith in God's light or has no good relations with other people, although he celebrates it very festive.
As we celebrate this Advent, we ask ourselves "Am I a little more loving with my God and my fellow human beings"
The more intensive is the preparation, the better the result is.
The more intensive is the preparation, the better the result is.
If we have a little remembrance that we are not hundred percent in God's way ,
we are on the way to Bethlehem, that is the way of repentance.
Amen
Amen
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