"Make a straight path!" The prophet Isaiah foretold of a messenger that would announce the coming of the Lord. John the Baptist was that messenger. To all who would listen, he preached of confession of sins, and baptized with water those who asked for forgiveness. And still he promised that all who would
continue to ask for forgiveness and believe in Jesus Christ would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

     The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that our baptism is but the beginning of our journey of faith. "Preparation for baptism leads only to the threshold of new life. Baptism is the source of that new life in Christ from which the entire Christian life springs forth." (CCC, 1254) As John the Baptist forecast the coming of Jesus Christ, this Advent season let us renew our baptismal promise. Let us ask for forgiveness of our sins, and seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit.