Fr. Michael writes: Today we hear the opening of the Gospel of St. Mark, which introduces us to the two great figures that stand at the beginning of the Christian story:- Jesus and John the Baptist. All four evangelists witness to the truth that you cannot tell the story of Jesus without first speaking about John the Baptist. It is the towering figure of John that introduces Jesus in his public life and ministry. John worked no miracles, held no office, belonged to no religious party. Yet his importance was unique. Through John the silence of God is broken. The spirit of prophecy is alive again. That is why as St. Mark says, “all Judea and all Jerusalem make their way to John: “In him the people discern the living Word of God.Advent 2B