Sunday, December 16, 2012
The Preaching of John the Baptist (continued)
Dear Friends,
A reading from St. Luke’s Gospel (3:7-14):
[John the Baptist] 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.”
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We have arrived at the Third Sunday of Advent and next week we will celebrate the Feast of Christmas. There is only a short time now to prepare our souls for this great Feast. Let us repent of all our sins and listen to St. John the Baptist as he prepared the Jewish people for the coming of Our Savior Jesus Christ.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Repent My dear brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters for the great day that is coming. St. John the Baptist told the people that came to him for baptism that they should help the poor; those who are collecting money should only collect what they were asked and soldiers should never accused others falsely. This is what each one of you should do to live as good Christians and to follow Me. Be happy and full of joy as you approach My great Feast of Christmas and do not be full of pride. Be humble My friends and you will receive many gifts from Me. I love you and remember that I came into the world for each of you to save you. I send My blessings upon you all.”
Father Melvin