Great Anticipation

A Reading from the Gospel according to Luke
     The crowds asked John the Baptist,
     “What should we do?”
     He said to them in reply,
     “Whoever has two cloaks
     should share with the person who has none. 
     And whoever has food should do likewise.”
     Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
     “Teacher, what should we do?”
     He answered them, 
     “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
     Soldiers also asked him,
     “And what is it that we should do?”
     He told them,
     “Do not practice extortion, 
     do not falsely accuse anyone, 
     and be satisfied with your wages.”

     Now the people were filled with expectation, 
     and all were asking in their hearts 
     whether John might be the Christ.
     John answered them all, saying, 
     “I am baptizing you with water,
     but one mightier than I is coming.
     I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
     He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
     His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
     and to gather the wheat into his barn, 
     but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
     Exhorting them in many other ways, 
     he preached good news to the people.


     I think at some point in life we have all waited with great anticipation. I can think of a few instances in my life filled with such anticipation I thought I might explode! For my first year of mission in Ireland, I left home the August right after graduating. Knowing I wouldn't see them again until my Christmas break, I said goodbye to all my family and friends. For the first few months, it was great! I was traveling and making new friends, and we were always so busy. Still, the anticipation and desire for home grew, especially in those quiet moments of prayer. Much like we desire the coming of Jesus Christ this Advent season, my heart was longing for something it didn't quite know how to prepare for.  


     When I finally made it home for Christmas, I was welcomed by family and friends that were just as full of anticipation as I was. Imagine if we anticipated the coming of Jesus this Advent season in the same way!  

     We see a burning desire within the people for their Savior in this upcoming week’s Gospel. How did they prepare for His coming?  

     Expectation, if there is one thing that is clear in this passage, is the burning anticipation that the crowd is experiencing. You can see it clearly in the very first verse, "And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’" and again in verse 15: "Now the people were filled with anticipation..." We are moving into the ultimate time of anticipation in the Church. Like the crowds surrounding John the Baptist, we are awaiting the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  

     The question we now need to consider is, “How do we prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior, Jesus?” As much as I would love to give you an answer, I believe it will be different for each of us. Will you sit with the Lord in prayer as you wait for the coming of His Son? Will you serve the poor and find Him there? Will you look to His mother Mary and imitate the way she prepares? I encourage you to enter into the anticipation as fully as possible because who deserves our attention more than the one who gave His life for us?  


About the Author: Rachael is the youth minister at Saint John the Evangelist in Prairieville. Rachael grew up in Saint Amant and has been involved in youth ministry since she was a youth. She experienced the love of Jesus Christ for the first time in her sophomore year of high school at a weekend retreat, which led to her involvement in ministry. That encounter also led her to serve as a NET Missionary in Ireland for two years before moving back home to serve her community. 
How do you like your coffee? Pour-over, black or iced, and a splash of soy milk. 
What was the 1st CD (or cassette if you’re old school) you remember listening to as a kid? “James Taylor's Greatest Hits”
What book are you reading right now? “Return of the Prodigal Son,” Henri Nouwen
What food would you eat every day for the rest of your life? Probably pizza; the. possibilities are endless (#imayouthministercanyoutell?)
What is a random life hack you have? Roll the bottom of a chip bag up into the bag to create an instant serving bowl. You’re welcome. 


Learn More About Red Stick Catholics


The Well is a weekly reflection series from Red Stick Catholics that was created to allow young adults from the Diocese of Baton Rouge to reveal how God is speaking to them through prayer and Scripture. Each reflection contains the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel, a reflection written by a young adult from the Diocese of Baton Rouge and prompts for how to pray with the Gospel and reflection during the week.