THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

December 13, 2009 Third Sunday of Advent

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist assures us that he is only the announcer of the one who is to come. He baptizes with water. Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The expression “all fired up” comes from the days of steam trains. A cold locomatovie is just a huge iron engine. It cannot move. But when the furnace is lit and the fire turns the water into steam, the giant pistons begin to move and a mighty force is unleashed. When it’s all fired up, the great iron giant can haul 100 cars behind it. Perhaps the water of our baptism needs to be turned into steam by the fire of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist was right on. We are baptized in water, but nothing happens until the fire of the Spirit burns in our lives; then, like a great iron giant, we can inspire 100 lives with our love.

Deacon Dick Folger