THAT'S LIFE

...http://www.fanpop.com/spots/jesus/videos/780572/title/youtube-jesus-mary-did-know-video-passion


We read the glorious words of Luke's gospel this morning: about the appearance of an angel to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist who didn't believe what he had heard "He'll (John) drink neither wine nor beer. He'll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother's womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he'll get the people ready for God." Zachariah said to the angel, "Do you expect me to believe this? I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman." But the angel said, "I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time—God's time."

We have Jesus today, without question. But don't we also need someone who will turn many sons and daughters of God back to him? Who will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah? Who will soften the hearts of parents to children? Who will kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics.?Who will get people ready for God?

This morning's newspaper tells me these facts: A 15-year-old was beaten to death in her own bedroom in St. John the Baptist parish. A woman stole $7,000 in jewelry from a friend's mother. Teens are taking something called Bath Salt as a drug and dying from it in the area. A jury has been selected in the drowning death of a baby. A baby. And the most shocking of all, I guess, a couple of six-year-olds and a three-year-old were caught burglarizing a Covington home, stealing a board game, money and cigarettes while their mother was at a PARENTING class.

Oh, where are the John the Baptist's today?  Where are the true leaders of our faith, who will love people back into submission to their God?

While the recession kills us all, we argue about wars and rumors of wars, wars we can't pay for and don't want.

Where are the John the Baptist's today?

The conclusion of the first chapter of Luke goes like this:

"Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary. When he came out and couldn't speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people. When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home. It wasn't long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. "So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!" she said. "

So I wonder how God will act to remedy our unfortunate condition?

Come, Lord Jesus, come.