+ Today is obviously a special day of celebration for those who belong to this church dedicated to St. John the Baptist, now a part of All Saints Parish. Just as John is recognized as "the herald of Christ" when at last he came – so too the members of this church for well over 100 years – mostly under the gentle guidance and spiritual leadership of the Marist Fathers – have also heralded the good news of the arrival of Christ in Midcoast Maine!
Just as John was always aware of a special calling in his life, so too must we be constantly aware of our own special calling to holiness and perfection of life. These qualities are not just for priests and monks and nuns; they are for everyone. Grace is for everyone! Divine Life is for everyone! God's personable Friendship is for everyone!
Now we must ask ourselves – how do we respond to these gifts of grace, life and friendship? John gave everything he had for the cause of receiving and utilizing them – including his life! How much of our life are we willing to such a project today?
May our response be honest, and true and generous – as was that of St. John the Baptist! The world still needs to hear today those infamous words: PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD! MAKE A HIGHWAY FOR OUR GOD! For one day he will come again. It could be any day! It could be today!
And may we hear him say to us as he said to his cousin John the Baptist at the end of his short but o so powerfully significant life: COME, BLESSED OF MY FATHER – INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARD FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD! YOU HAVE HUMBLED YOURSELF IN THE SIGHT OF MEN, NOW I EXALT YOU IN THE SIGHT OF MY FATHER! WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT! ENTER INTO THE JOY OF YOUR LORD!
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