Following the Star

Pause

This Advent,

Let us remember: The Lord will continue to do great things for us.

Let us testify to the Light that is God.

Let us hold on to what is good, even when nothing around us makes any sense.

Let us cultivate joy.

Listen

They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

John said, “I’m not.”

“Are you the prophet?”

John answered, “No.”

They asked, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John replied,

I am a voice crying out in the wilderness, Make the Lord’s path straight, just as the prophet Isaiah said.”

Those sent by the Pharisees asked, “Why do you baptize if you aren’t the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”

John answered, “I baptize with water. Someone greater stands among you, whom you don’t recognize. He comes after me, but I’m not worthy to untie his sandal straps.” This encounter took place across the Jordan in Bethany where John was baptizing.

John 1:21-28

Think

“I’m not worthy to untie his sandal straps…” What a statement! A bold way for us to perhaps even describe our own relationship with God.

The message that we are not worthy seems to prevail today. Society – and sometimes even those close to us – tell us that we are not worthy. If they don’t say it with words, then with actions. And we often believe this…

But let us remember that we are worthy of God’s joy. God sent Jesus to walk among those who felt unworthy to deliver them, to restore them. You are beloved, you are a child of God.

Luz Cabrera Montes

Pray

Lord, hear my crying! Give me strength to care for myself as I seek to care for others. Guide my words and make them match my actions. Amen.

Go

Choose joy, share joy, and make it a discipline.