Advent John the Baptist

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AdventJohn the Baptist

• A Reflection by Robert P. Maloney, C.M.

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• A rich cast of Advent characters appears on the
  gospel stage.
• In this presentation we focus on John the
  Baptist.

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• Jesus called John a brightly shining light and
  declares that he was the greatest person history
  had ever seen.

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• John focused his whole life on the coming of
  Jesus - the Advent secret.
• He realized that his all-consuming vocation was
  to prepare the way of the Lord.

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• As Vincentians we dedicate our whole lives to
  following Christ the Evangelizer of the poor.

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• We seek to imitate his five missionary virtues
• Simplicity
• Humility
• Meekness
• Mortification
• Zeal

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• Do we meditate on the person of Jesus daily?
• Do we see him in the starving people, the street
  people, the victims of violence in our world?

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• John the Baptists life makes it very clear that
  the following of Christ involves a demanding
  asceticism. He knew how to speak the truth even
  when it cost dearly.

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St. John the Baptist With the Scribes and
Pharisees by Bartolome Esteban Murillo, c. 1665
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• John the Baptist makes it very clear that we will
  live genuinely for Christ only if we are willing
  to die for him.

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• For us, Johns asceticism might be
• Rising early to praise God
• Employing moderation and a critical sense in
  using television and other media
• Withholding divisive words and negative criticism
• Working hard for the poor

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For the full text of this letter and Fr.
Maloneys other writings visit the Vincentian
Encyclopedia
Adapted from text by Gail Rieth, RSM c. 2006