What a profound thought, that each of us is to be like St. John the Baptist and imitate him as prophetic lights in a darkened world. To be rivers in the wasteland of modern-day culture! Our families, our schools, our workplaces, and every corner of society to which we have access need to be cultivated with love and prepared to receive the Gospel in word and in power.

In Jesus’ description of St. John the Baptist in today’s Gospel, He refers to him as a burning and shining lamp. What does that look like for each of us? How faithfully are we fostering the life of God in our souls through daily prayer and frequenting of the Sacraments? Do we love others with our own weak, human love or through prayer do we love with the infinite Heart of Christ? John the Baptist was eminently effective as our Lord’s precursor. And yet for Him (as should be the case for us), everything began, ended, and flowed out of profound prayer.

In these final weeks of Lent, how well are we preparing a way for the Lord in our own souls? Do we believe that the same power that rose Jesus from the dead can resurrect our hearts? Do we help prepare others to encounter the Lord, first in our own commitment to personal prayer and then in our faithful leading them to the Sacraments?

I recently returned from twelve days of mission in England and was thrilled to see the openness of young people to the Gospel (six of whom approached me over the course of a week expressing their desire to be baptized and/or confirmed in the Church). There is nothing more necessary in today’s dying culture than burning lamps preparing a way for Jesus. Let us respond to the call with great courage, and let it begin on our knees!

Jimmy Mitchell is a speaker, composer, and musician who travels the world sharing the mystery of God’s love and the beauty of Catholic culture. He founded Mysterium to help the young Church renew culture and to produce great music, books, and events that celebrate the True, the Good, and the Beautiful.

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