You Don’t Have to Eat Bugs…But You Should Repent

You Don’t Have to Eat Bugs…But You Should Repent

Joy Wattenbarger

This Sunday we’re introduced to one of the more famous characters in the
Bible, the cousin of Jesus, John the Baptist. And boy, was he a character.
This guy is well known for eating bugs and having his head delivered on a
platter to a king who wasn’t too fond of him. Unfortunately, John the Baptist
often becomes one of those crazy stories in the Bible, that we remember,
but don’t feel like we connect to very much in our own lives.

As we begin the second week of Advent, I want to challenge you to look past
the craziness of John the Baptist’s life…and right to the heart of his message.
“Prepare the way of the Lord,” John the Baptist called all those who would
listen to repent and prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Advent is a time
for us to prepare for Christ’s coming…His coming at Christmas, His coming at
the end of time, and His coming into our own hearts…each and every day of
our lives.

It’s easy to get caught up thinking about some of the crazy things that John
that Baptist did…traveling around preaching, wearing clothes made out of
camel hair…but it’s important to remember why he did those things. John
the Baptist made sacrifices as an act of repentance, to prepare His heart for
the coming of the Messiah. We’re called to make sacrifices too…getting rid
of the sin in our lives, and even the things that, although they might not be
“bad,” end up taking priority over our relationship with God. Advent is a time
to sacrifice the things that clutter up the “room” of our hearts, and prepare
room for our King.

Repentance is an important part of this preparation. The prophet Isaiah tells
us that “The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made
smooth.” We’ve all got some rough patches in our hearts…why not take
advantage of the season of Advent as a time to allow the Lord to smooth out
some of those things in our hearts that keep us from fully welcoming Him
into our lives?

Most parishes have penance services during the season of Advent to give
you the opportunity to get rid of any of those sins that have become
“roadblocks” to growing in your relationship with the Lord. But even if your

parish doesn’t have a specific service scheduled, you can always call a priest
and schedule a time for confession. What better time than Advent to heed
the call of John the Baptist to “repent?”

Take some time today to think about your life and what things are
separating you from God and making it hard for you to welcome Him into
your life this Christmas, and every day. The Sacrament of Reconciliation
is one of the greatest gifts that the Church gives us. Take advantage of it.
Clean out your heart and make room for the Lord, this Advent season.