Dear Parishioners,
Come to the Water
Throughout the Bible, we read about people who were called by God to preach a specific message or perform an important mission. One of the most influential and unique people is John the Baptist. John was a man with “true grit,” so to speak. He heard the Lord’s message loud and clear, and he acted on it with unwavering passion. He saw what was happening to the people of that time. They were becoming indifferent to the God of their fathers. They were going their own way and doing things they wanted to do rather than following the laws of Moses. John’s mission was to call these people back to God — to tell them to repent and mend their ways.
John’s message made a lot of sense to a lot of people. He was able to reach the masses in a very visible way. John’s message of repentance and “coming clean” was brought to life by making the people walk into the Jordan River where they were washed clean of their sins. John used a vehicle that everyone could identify with — water. Water is life-sustaining and cleansing, and that is exactly the connection John wanted the people to make. By immersing themselves in the Jordan, they could rise up and start anew.
In the Gospel, John speaks with very direct words. He warned them that if they did not listen they will be like the tree that does not bear fruit. That tree will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Yet, his message was one of enormous hope. He told the people that a savior, mightier than he, will be coming to baptize them with the Holy Spirit. That savior will truly cleanse and save us. John’s message and the promise of a savior is still the promise of hope for us today.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Lito