Readings:
Isaiah 40:1-11Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
2 Peter 3:8-15
Mark 1:1-8
“He Shall Baptize You with the Holy Ghost” by Charles Wesley
What avails th’ external sign,
Without th’ internal grace?
Lord, I want thy Spirit divine
The spark of love to raise,
Straitened through intense desire
To feel the pure baptismal flame:
Let the Holy Ghost inspire,
And plunge me in thy name.
Unbaptized in sin I live,
Till I thy Spirit feel;
To thy ransomed creature give
That gift unspeakable,
Witness, pledge of joys unseen
Thy Spirit breathe into my breast:
Partner of thy nature then,
And one with thee I rest.
Reflection: John the Baptist usually conjures up images of a wild mountain man or a street corner prophet of the end of the world. Neither description really fits. John is the cousin of Jesus and quite possibly one of his earliest friends. John lays the groundwork for Jesus’ coming. John’s work is marked by repentance. The work of Jesus is marked by the Holy Spirit. We need both. We need to repent of all that gets in the way of Jesus. And we need the joy and love of the Holy Spirit Jesus gives us.
Prayer: Comfort us as we wait for your return, Jesus. Send your Holy Spirit upon us. Let us share in the Love that unites you and the Father. Amen.
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