High Expectations

We are borrowing the theme of expectations from this week's Gospel passage (The Baptism of the Lord). As John the Baptist spreads the message of repentance and baptism, the crowds become excited - is he the one they have all been waiting for? Is John the Messiah? Will he force the Romans back to Rome and be the hero of Israel? Lots of different groups of people had their own expectations of what God's anointed one would achieve in the world.

This week offers us an opportunity to explore the expectations that others have of our lives and the expectations we have for this new year. It is helpful to reflect on what we anticipate the future might hold for us and how we can begin to make that positive picture a reality by our own thoughts, words and actions today.