A Better Life

At Advent time each year, we all probably feel a desire to do better, be more fulfilled as persons, love God and neighbour more faithfully.  It is a help to ask oneself:  “Am I more patient, kind, humble, prayerful, or whatever, than this time last year?”

If the answer is “not really”, well then John the Baptist gives a true remedy in today’s Gospel, because he says:  “Go on your way, changing all the time into the way of God’s plan and outlook” (that’s really what his words “do penance” mean - in fact he uses one word ‘metanoia’ - in English:  “Go on doing better, and being a better person”).

“This”, as St Vincent de Paul says, “means care; it means action”.  Things can be better, as the 1st reading indicates, in very symbolic language.  St Paul in the 2nd reading speaks of hope, a virtue for Advent and always. 

Let us not be discouraged at our slow progress.  Let us pray with confidence. A better life in terms of personal integrity goes beyond election promises or the desire for wealth and fame.  It was said about St Charles of Mount Argus:  “A saint is one who tries harder than the rest of us.” 

Fr. Eamon Flanagan, C.M.

9th December 2007