Someone is coming, said John, someone greater than I.
He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. LK 3:16
ISAIAH 40:1-5,9-11
My Soul's Beloved,
My Lord and my God, You became the atoning sacrifice for my sins. Scarlet as they were O Lord You have washed me whiter than snow. Only when I approach You in the Sacrament of Reconciliation can my soul be washed clean by the Blood of the Lamb. I thank You Lord for assuring me that every time I come to You with a humble and contrite heart You will never spurn me, You will never reject me, and I will always find forgiveness, mercy, pardon, and shelter in Your Sacred Heart.
Thank You, Lord, for never abandoning us. From the moment original sin ruptured our relationship with God, He did not hesitate to set forth His plan of salvation to heal that rupture and bring us back into fellowship and relationship with Him.
PSALM 103(104):1-4,24-25,27-30
Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord God, how great you are.
But when the kindness and love of God our saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because he was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our saviour. He did this so that we should be justified by his grace, to become heirs looking forward to inheriting eternal life.
LUKE 3:15-16,21-22
Thank You, Lord, for never abandoning us. From the moment original sin ruptured our relationship with God, He did not hesitate to set forth His plan of salvation to heal that rupture and bring us back into fellowship and relationship with Him.
The final messenger and prophet, John the Baptist, Your cousin, was chosen to prepare the way for Your coming. He called all whose hearts were longing for a Savior to repentance. Unless we are willing to give up the sins our flesh delights in and clings to we will be separated from God for nothing unclean can come into God's presence. But You O Lord are our Good Shepherd and You will pursue us relentlessly and though we resist You at first, in the end, the power of Your love will prevail. Save us O Lord, heal us O Lord, and we will praise You.
Thank You, Abba Father, for sending us Your Son, thank You loving and merciful Lord for laying down Your life for us and saving us, thank You Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son for coming into our lives, abiding in us, and helping us walk in the way of love, life, and truth.
Here is the Lord coming with power,
his arm subduing all things to him.
The prize of his victory is with him,
his trophies all go before him.
He is like a shepherd feeding his flock,
gathering lambs in his arms,
holding them against his breast
and leading to their rest the mother ewes.
The prize of his victory is with him,
his trophies all go before him.
He is like a shepherd feeding his flock,
gathering lambs in his arms,
holding them against his breast
and leading to their rest the mother ewes.
PSALM 103(104):1-4,24-25,27-30
Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord God, how great you are.
Lord God, how great you are,
clothed in majesty and glory,
wrapped in light as in a robe!
You stretch out the heavens like a tent.
clothed in majesty and glory,
wrapped in light as in a robe!
You stretch out the heavens like a tent.
Above the rains you build your dwelling.
You make the clouds your chariot,
you walk on the wings of the wind,
you make the winds your messengers
and flashing fire your servant.
you walk on the wings of the wind,
you make the winds your messengers
and flashing fire your servant.
How many are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your riches.
There is the sea, vast and wide,
with its moving swarms past counting,
living things great and small.
The earth is full of your riches.
There is the sea, vast and wide,
with its moving swarms past counting,
living things great and small.
All of these look to you
to give them their food in due season.
You give it, they gather it up:
you open your hand, they have their fill.
You give it, they gather it up:
you open your hand, they have their fill.
You hide your face, they are dismayed;
you take back your spirit, they die.
You send forth your spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the earth.
You send forth your spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the earth.
Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord God, how great you are.
TITUS 2:11-14,3:4-7
My Soul's Beloved,
My Soul's Beloved,
We were created for God and nothing will make us happy except to live for God. Sadly most of us are ignorant not only of You my Soul's Delight, but ignorant of the Love of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit who is able to do for us what we are unable to do for ourselves if we only surrender our lives to the power of His grace.
The lives of the Apostles, the Church Father, the glorious martyrs, and the holy Saints who lived singularly exemplary lives witness to us that it is possible to strive to be holy and perfect as God is holy and perfect. Sadly we prefer to give in to the passing delights that the world, the flesh, and the devil constantly distract and tempt us with.
St. Paul's teaching is clear we are saved by grace and that grace becomes effective when we give up everything that does not lead to God. All that the world holds up as necessary to succeed - power, wealth, possessions, are nothing but so much rubbish and filthy rags compared to the glory of the risen Lord that is ours if we desire it. But do we truly desire to live a life of goodness, holiness, and purity removing from our hearts and our lives all that separates us from You - every sinful relationship, all sinful habits?
Only with the help of the Holy Spirit and grace can we resolve to live lives that are holy and pleasing to God. We begin our journey to eternal life by crucifying our will and embracing God's will in all things. All are invited to taste and see how good God is and to embrace the salvation that the Sacrifice of the Son of God has merited for the whole human race. All of us are set free by the Blood of the Lamb but unless we desire to accept this gift we can never break the chains that bind us to sin.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
But when the kindness and love of God our saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because he was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our saviour. He did this so that we should be justified by his grace, to become heirs looking forward to inheriting eternal life.
LUKE 3:15-16,21-22
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