First Prelude: In spirit, place yourself on the banks of the Jordan and see St. John together with the multitudes who have assembled round about him.
Second Prelude: Grant me the grace, O my God, to understand the necessity of sanctifying myself if I would labor successfully for the salvation of others.
First Point
PREPARATION OF ST. JOHN FOR HIS MISSION
At a very tender age, the precursor of our Lord had retired into the desert, where, removed from the distractions and dangers of the world, he remained until his thirtieth year. He prepared for his exalted mission by prayer and contemplation, by great austerities and the practice of virtue. “And the child grew, and was strengthened in the spirit, and was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel” (Luke 1, 80). What heights of sanctity must St. John have reached during these years by faithful co-operation with grace! He wrought no miracles, and yet his simple appearance, his words, made such an impression on the multitudes that he had to declare solemnly that he was not the Messiah. His extraordinary sanctity rendered him fit, “to go before the Messiah in the spirit and power of Elias” (Luke 1, 17).
Who would lead others on the way of salvation, who would truly benefit his neighbor, dare not content himself with merely conversing on the fear of God or on virtue, but must support his exhortation by good example. Zeal for our own sanctification must invoke God’s blessings upon our efforts to promote the salvation of our neighbor. Have we not been chosen to prepare the way of the Lord in the hearts of others? Should we not, therefore, daily by prayer, by meditation and recollection, prepare our hearts for the labors of the apostolate?
Do I conscientiously employ the time set aside by our Holy Rule for recollection, for prayer and for spiritual reading? Do I strive to eradicate the faults and imperfections which might scandalize others, and thus hamper an otherwise good work?
Second Point
THE PUBLIC APPEARANCE OF ST. JOHN
For years St. John had ardently longed for the coming of the Messiah; he had been prepared a long time for his great mission. Finally, the time had come when he was to appear as a preacher of penance and announce to the chosen people that the Kingdom of God is nigh. Instantly he began “to prepare the way of the Lord.” How admirable the zeal of St. John to instruct the multitudes and admonish them to penance and justice! What indulgence towards penitent sinners, what a just anger towards the impenitent did he display? Having calmly awaited the Lord’s own time in the desert, he now proceeded to do his duty without thought of his own honor, without human considerations. He referred to the Messiah all the honor the multitudes tendered him, and with intrepidity opposed the hypocritical Pharisees and Sadducees as he did later Herod, when he sealed his zeal for the Kingdom of God with the sacrifice of his life.
What is my conduct when God, through my superiors, assigns a certain obedience to me? Do I accept it in a spirit of faith at His hands? Do I devote myself with zeal and perseverance to the obedience assigned to me by God’s representatives? Do I seek only the greater honor of God, without regard for my desires or inclinations?
Affections: O my God, what thanks do I owe Thee for the countless means offered me in religion to work out my own salvation, and like Thy holy precursor, to participate in preparing the hearts of others. Through the intercession of St. John grant me grace to utilize these means and especially to love and practice obedience, that my efforts may be blessed and I may have the happy assurance of doing Thy Will. I can benefit souls only in so far as I myself strive for sanctity and I may hope to induce them to make their hearts receptive for grace by the practice of self-denial and penance, only inasmuch as I myself practice penance.
Jesus, my Lord, my King, do Thou take complete possession of my heart, of my soul, of my whole being, that I may love Thee and serve Thee faithfully. Grant me the gift of perseverance in Thy grace. Strengthen me, that, in union with Thee, I may do perfectly the heavenly Father’s Will. Let me never more be separated from Thee by sin. I love Thee above all things and with my whole heart. “Thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion forever.”
Increase my faith, strengthen my hope, kindle Thy love within me, that I may die to self and live but for Thee. All for the greater glory of God!
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