THE GREENING OF THE GOSPEL
SERMONS FOR ADVENT, CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANY SUNDAYS 1-8 IN ORDINARY TIME)
Speculation concerning the identity of John the Baptizer was a major point of discussion. His converts responded to his call to repentance and submitted to his baptism. They also wondered aloud whether John was the Messiah. But John was swift to shift the attention from himself to the one who would succeed him, whose identity was yet to be revealed:
"I baptize you with water," said John;
"but he who is mightier is coming,
the thongs of whose sandals
I am not worthy to untie;
He will baptize you
with the Holy Ghost
and with fire."
