How to Herald

Mass Readings: April 17

First:	Acts 13:13-25
Resp:	Psalm 89:2-3,21-22,25,27
Gospel:	John 13:16-20

Acts 13:24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel;

How do we "herald" the coming of Christ?  A herald is one who comes before another, or one who announces one's coming, or news to the people.  If and when we herald the coming of Christ is it like John?  Do we do it with a "baptism of repentance"?  

Today it seems to me that more churches would rather "herald" his coming with coffee and donuts and secular style music.  They want everybody to be happy and they go to great lengths to try to make the people as comfortable as possible. But is that the model that we have?  Is that a baptism of repentance?

When we are confronted with the opportunity to present Christ to another, shouldn't we be very self conscious regarding our own appearance?  If we are sinning or acting less than pure in our faith, doesn't that then raise a question about Jesus to the ones who see us.

We would certainly clean ourselves up before entertaining an important guest. Shouldn't we also clean ourselves up when we "herald" the coming of Christ?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to see the sin that deceives and consumes me.  Help me to realize that the comfort that I seek is not necessarily righteousness, but often is only gratification of the flesh.  Thank you for your grace and mercy Lord.

Amen