3 Advent 2008 -- John The Baptist "Stir Up" Sunday

[guest blogger: Joe Occhiuto]
The mission before us is Continuity and Change.
When times are tough, many tend to dwell on the past. Many also tend to fill themselves with comfort food.
However, it must be noted that living in the past can stunt your growth. Too much comfort food can make you fat!
Living without change that is driven by the Holy Spirit will stunt your growth and make you fat.

This coming Sunday (Dec. 14th), Advent 3, is often referred to as "John the Baptist Sunday" because the Gospel message is the preaching of John, the last prophet. In the preaching of John the Baptist there is no room for dwelling on the past, or seeking any kind of comfort. Recall that John was the man who wore only camels fur and ate bugs and honey. John proclaims not what was, but what is and what is to come. John proclaims the Light - a new and improved Light. You cannot turn on a light in the past. But you can turn on a light in the present, and you can prepare or make ready to turn on a light in the future.

To be sure, there is much that can be learned from the past (Continuity) - not everything done in the dark was bad, But something new is about to dawn. Don't you want to be in on it? It's going to be good!

Come - let's talk
Sunday Dec 14th - Noon - in the Church