Welcome to our daily Rosary meditation. Let's begin in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Let's call to mind all those we've promised to pray for.

On the third Sunday of Advent, the church turns to St. John the Baptist to show us how to prepare

to receive Jesus more fully at Christmas. John said I am the voice of one crying

in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord.

The first thing we see in John is that he lives in the wilderness eats wild locus and wears camel hair.

Teresa, have you ever worn camel hair straight on the skin?

I don't think I've ever worn camel hair. Well I imagine it's

probably worse than, I don't know, burlap. Why does John do this to himself? Why does preparation for Christ require fasting and

discipline of the body, mind, and soul? Well, remember, the cave was able to receive the baby Jesus at Christmas because it was empty

while the inn was full.

Likewise, we have to empty ourselves by fasting from the things which are

pushing Christ out. Fast from eating and drinking to help you cope with anxiety or pain. Fast from

all forms of pornography. Fast from gossip. Don't gossip or read gossip or listen to gossip. Fast from

your addiction to your screens. Fast from your addiction to news and social media. Entertainment, rife with

hypersexuality and violence. Fast from scrolling through YouTube, and replace all these things with the good things

your body, mind, and soul really need, deeper friendship with God by prayer and the things that nourish your mind, body,

and soul with truth, beauty, and goodness.

Remember, we did a whole series of meditations on how to use your free time well.

Don't forget those principles.

John comes to give us an example on how to get ready to receive Jesus by fasting from everything that pushes him out.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallow it would be your name.

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