Sermon Notes – Decorate Your Soul

“Decorate Your Soul”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

December 8 – 9, 2018

Scripture: Luke 3: 1-6

1) In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,* when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,a and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2) during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,* the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. 3) He went throughout [the] whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4) as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:A voice of one crying out in the desert:‘Prepare the way of the Lord,make straight his paths. 5) Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, 6) and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’

In today’s gospel, John the Baptist went in to the desert to prepare for the coming of Christ, and when he returned, he helped people prepare for the way of the Lord. We can prepare by taking the time to examine our hearts….have they hardened? We can also prepare by examining our lives….is God at the center and a priority?

Advent is a time of joy, because we are preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ. As a symbol of our love for the Savior, we prepare by decorating our homes with Christmas trees, lights, and wreaths, and by playing Christmas carols. In the same way, we need to adorn our souls in preparation by:

• Performing spiritual and corporal works of mercy;

• Going to confession;

• Participating in daily Mass as often as possible; and

• Praying.

How will you apply this message to your life? Will you put Christ at the center of your life and make Him a priority? Will you prepare for His birthday by adorning your soul with works of mercy, confession, and prayer?

---