Luke 3:1-6

Reflection

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist proclaims a baptism of repentance to the people in the Jordan region. While the text is full of historical information, we can take the concept of repentance and reflect on that.

When we sin and afterwards reflect on the wrong we did, are we always truly repentant? Sometimes it’s hard to be, but if that’s the case, then we must ask God for help in feeling remorse and a desire to repent. When we sin, we separate ourselves from God, and that fact alone should make us want to truly repent.

John the Baptist was inspired by God to proclaim this message, and it is one we should pay attention to. One way to practice this is by doing a daily examen. By regularly identifying your weak spots and sins, you can begin to work on improving upon them and cultivating a repentant attitude. God wants to be in relationship with you fully, but sin mars that, so let’s use the tools he’s given us – such as Confession and examens – to strengthen our relationship with him.

Saint of the Day

St. Romaric: died AD 653

An important nobleman, St. Romaric became a monk and established a monastery in France, where he ruled for thirty years until his death. St. Romaric, pray for us!