Don't Get Tied Down...

For the homily that I gave this past weekend, I came out with a microphone cord as a prop. Whenever props are used, people wonder how this is going to fit into the readings that we just listened to. I told the story of a priest who was preaching a fine homily one Sunday morning and he was really into it. The Holy Spirit was truly at work but what the priest did not realize is that each time he moved around he was getting tangled in the microphone cord. Eventually he realized that he was tied down and started to kick and throw his arms about so he could get free. During the outburst, a little girl in the front pew said to her mother, "Mommy, if he gets loose we are all in trouble." The priest made it out, no one got hurt, and the homily went on. I think about that preaching story as John the Baptist appeared in the desert on the Second Sunday of Advent. An early evangelizer, John the Baptist was preparing the people of his day for the coming of the Messiah. He came preaching a message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Even though times have changed, the message is still the same as we await the second coming of our Lord. We need to prepare ourselves for his coming! We need to repent of our sinfulness and turn back to God and receive His forgiveness. There is always that sense of urgency because we do not know the day nor the hour so we need to be ready, now!!! Advent is a wonderful time for us to renew our lives and our faith. Don't get tied down with the voices of the world because there is one voice that is loud and clear, the voice of our Lord. Listen to the words of Jesus Christ in the gospels! Listen to those who preach the Good News! These are the words that will lead to eternal life. Let us continue to make the most of this Advent Time as we continue our preparation for the Lord's coming, not just at Christmas, but in glory! God Bless You!!!