December 31, 2014
The Preaching of John the Baptist
A reading from the Gospel of Saint Luke 3, 1 – 14:
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee…during the priesthood of Annas, and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah in the desert. He went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'”
He said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance; and do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father, for I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
The year 2014 is coming to an end and I would like to remind you that many people put the names of their loved ones, living and dead, in the book of Remembrance at the beginning of the year. So if you wish to inscribe names in the book then sent their names to me and I will inscribe them and offer three Masses a week for a whole year for these people. It only costs $15.00 for one person for a full year for all these Masses. You know that there is no greater prayer than Holy Mass.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Come and listen to Saint John the Baptist My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who love Me. My Heavenly Father appointed Saint John the Baptist from the moment of his birth to be the one to prepare the Jewish people for My arrival among them. He call all the people to repent of their sins by being baptized in the Jordan River. In fact he baptized Me too. Many people came from all over Israel to be baptized by Saint John. He was not afraid to teach them what the Father asked them to do. He is known as the second prophet Isaiah. Isaiah in fact prophesied about Saint John the Baptist when he said, “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John the Baptist came out of the desert to prepare the people for My arrival among them. When I was ready to begin My public life, I went to see John the Baptist at the Jordan River and I asked him to baptize Me. He was reluctant but at last he agreed. After My baptism, the Holy Spirit came upon Me and My Heavenly Father spoke saying, “You are My beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.”
It was St. John the Baptist who showed the people present at the Jordan River that I was the Messiah, the Lamb of God.
My friends I ask you all to study the story of St. John the Baptist, a holy man, who was filled with Holy Spirit and he introduced Me to the Jewish people. All who believe in Me should thank Saint John for what he has done. He is a martyr and he is in heaven in eternal bliss. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. We had a mostly sunny day but it was cold.