Sunday, Third Week of Advent

A New Video Series: Coffee with Padre

By Fr. Timothy Armbruster, C.PP.S.

 Today’s Readings

• Zephaniah 3:14-18a
• Philippians 4:4-7
• Luke 3:10-18

What kind of a preacher must John the Baptist have been? What was so wonderful about his words and his presence that drew people to him in the desert, in the middle of nowhere? His words touched their hearts and they came to him to be baptized.

They came to hear his words and ask him, “What should we do?” They didn’t ask, “What should we think?” or “What should we feel?” but “What should we do?” They felt a calling in their hearts to do something. John responded by challenging how they were living their everyday lives. To those who had abundance, two cloaks or abundance of food, share with those who have not. To the tax collectors, stop taking more than what’s prescribed. To the soldiers, treat others with dignity and respect. In one sense, it’s the age old saying, “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” Treat others with love, dignity and respect and in some ways that some love, dignity and respect will be returned unto you.

People who were coming to hear John were filled with expectation. In their hearts they were wondering could this be the Promised One? Could this be the Christ? John is quick to respond, “It is not I. There is someone mightier than I.”

How many times in our lives do we welcome guests into our homes? When we invite someone or they invite themselves, how much work goes into preparing for their arrival? How much time do we spend cleaning the house and getting everything ready? We can get everything ready to welcome, but we cannot make the guest arrive. They will arrive in their own time. We just need to be ready and waiting. And heaven help us if they show up early.

Advent is a time to for us to make ready our hearts and homes, to prepare and be prepared to once again welcome not only the Christ child but also to welcome the adult Jesus. We are called to recognize the kingdom that is already here and now, calling us to live and make ready.

I recently had someone say to me, “I don’t feel holy enough. How can I be more holy in my life?” She asked that, as she shared with me all the things she does in her daily life. She recounted all the people she visits and reaches out to for various reasons. She spoke of her commitment to church and the community. And yet in her mind, she didn’t feel holy enough.

Sometimes it’s not some big exciting one-time event, it’s all the little day to day events that make us holy. Sometimes the things we do without even realizing what we are doing. Once again, “Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself.”

Where are we in our Advent journey? Where are we in becoming more holy in our lives? How prepared are we to welcome one another and to welcome Jesus this Advent?

Thank you for joining us today. Please join us again on Wednesday, Dec 18.

Blessings on your Advent Journey.

New videos are posted at 6:30 a.m. on Sundays and Wednesdays during Advent.

All of the videos in this series can be found here: Coffee with Padre

Never miss an article published on the Renewal Center website: Sign up to receive our newsletters.

[Fr. Timothy Armbruster is a Precious Blood priest whose ministry has focused on parish work and retreats for youth and young adults. He holds a Master’s of Divinity Degree from Catholic Theological Union and describes himself as “a clown at heart.” Fr. Timothy incorporates clown ministry into his work to open our hearts, to seek laughter and happiness, and to see the world around us a bit differently. “In the stuffiness of life, we need God’s humor to see things anew,” he says.]

ID 137219174 | Advent © Nicole Lienemann | Dreamstime.com

 We’d Like to Hear from You!

We’d like to know what you think about this article. Send us a comment using the form below. Do you have a suggestion? Is there something you want to learn more about? Send us a note.