John the Baptist recognizes Jesus when he sees him, though there is nothing extraordinary-looking about him. This is how Jesus comes to us: veiled in the ordinary.

Jesus didn’t give John an explanation as the two stood in the River Jordan. He merely said, “Allow it for now.”

It is human nature to seek. If we are rich, we want to be richer. If we are smart, we want to be smarter. If we are powerful, we want to be more powerful.

Whatever their plans were, I think it’s safe to say that the future God had in store for Mary and Joseph was not one either of them expected.

Advent is drawing quickly to a close, and Christmas is coming soon. The change is upon us. Do we rise to accept it, or do we fall on our faces in fear?

We go to Mass. We go to Confession. We pray. We read Scripture. In doing all these things, again and again, we go out to the desert. What are we expecting to see?

It is so beautiful to be culturally Catholic. But actions, rituals, traditions, sentiments — none of it matters unless it bears the fruit of a transformed heart.

Look to the watershed moments, these little (and big) apocalypses. In these moments that change us, for better or worse, God is there, working, waiting.