“The heavens will not be filled with those who never made mistakes but with those who recognized that they were off course and who corrected their ways to get back in the light of gospel truth.”

“The man who is not afraid to admit everything that he sees to be wrong with himself, and yet recognizes that he is the object of God's love can begin to be sincere. His sincerity is based on confidence, not in his own illusions about himself, but in the endless, unfailing mercy of God.” ― Thomas Merton, No Man Is an Island

Gospel Text: (LK 7:24-30)

When the messengers of John the Baptist had left,

Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John.

“What did you go out to the desert to see—a reed swayed by the wind?

Then what did you go out to see?

Someone dressed in fine garments?

Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously

are found in royal palaces.

Then what did you go out to see?

A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

This is the one about whom Scripture says:

Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

he will prepare your way before you.

I tell you,

among those born of women, no one is greater than John;

yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”

(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors,

who were baptized with the baptism of John,

acknowledged the righteousness of God;

but the Pharisees and scholars of the law,

who were not baptized by him,

rejected the plan of God for themselves.

What was John’s baptism about? In a word, John’s baptism was about repentance. The Pharisees and scholars of the Law rejected their need for repentance, while the tax collectors acknowledged their need for repentance. This is why Advent, like Lent, is a penitential season. Only through repentance can we accept from God the Gift that offers us righteousness.