This weekend we meet John the Baptist, a central figure during our Advent Season.  John had a pivotal role in preparing people for the imminent coming of the Lord who had been foretold by all the Old Testament Prophets. John was the bridge, so to speak, between the Old Testament and the New. He was the herald of the Good News, the one who pointed out Jesus as He walked into the midst of the people. He called those who came to hear him preach, to a conversion in their lives.  They needed to not only marginally practice their faith, but needed to actively live it out.  It was not enough, and indeed a mistake, to be assured of their salvation just because they were Jews. The Messiah to come, he tells them, will come to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, which meant a potential for a powerful change and transformation in the lives of all who believe.
 
John the Baptist calls us to the same radical conversion.  His challenge to us is the same. We must not merely give lip service to our faith but we are called to live out that faith in our daily lives.
 
Each year as I watch people take ornaments from the giving tree and pledge to buy gifts for those in need, I am reminded how that is an example of living out faith in our daily lives. 
 
During the course of the year, so many things we do at St. Michael’s reflect that Gospel message.  That doesn’t mean we sit on our laurels, but hopefully, it motivates us to do all the more for others.