John 1:6-8, 19-28
Gospel according to John 1:6-8, 19-28
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews were sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you” He confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” he said, “I am the voice crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the Prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent by the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, not the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
Reflections
John was standing near the waters of the lower Jordan valley where he baptized people with water as sign of purification from their sins. He led an ascetic life and preached that the Kingdom of God was at hand. It was time to take an account of everything that was false, everything that was misleading, everything that was self-aggrandizing, superfluous, or “crooked,” and “straighten” it out: to come clean with ourselves in a an honest examination of conscience, and after having recognized our shortcomings, allow room for growth, change, and healing to take place. Then, come clean in front of others, and the community, by changing ways that distort and break relationships, mend connections, build bridges, and tend a hand to the needy, reach out to the lowly, the oppressed and the poor.
John’s message was straight to the point: “Repent!” Get to work. Do not delay, do not procrastinate, do not idle. Get into action. Work on yourself, mold yourself, shape yourself and create a new you. Start anew. Give space to regeneration, renewal, and re-birth.
His words stirred questions amongst the Pharisees, the learned men of his time, zealous to understand the Scriptures and interpret the signs of the time. “Who can this man be?” He baptizes with water, allows people’s sins to be washed away, encourages them to have a new beginning and arise to a new life, yet he claims neither to be prophet, a mystic, a seer, a wise man, the Savior, the Messiah, Elijah, or anyone known to them from the past; none of the great men they can think of.
John claimed to be the lowliest of the low, a servant, a messenger. Simple and pure of heart, he preached what was declared to him by the Spirit: “Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.”
John had his own disciples and he said this in front of them, as well as the men the Pharisees have sent, “I am a servant. My message prepares a path for the one who comes after me, who is greater than I am.”
John was aware that as his mission was nearing its end, there was a new beginning. The ministry of Jesus began after John baptized him in the River Jordan This ministry initiated a new realm on earth, the Kingdom of God, present amidst the vulnerability and pain, the suffering of humanity. –A mission of grace and mercy.
This is then the purpose of purification; to be ready to receive the mercy of God and to be able to be counted among those whose hearts are ready to receive a message of peace and goodwill.
As the days become shorter and the new light will be born on Christmas Eve, the testimony of John calls to welcome this new light with renewed heart and zeal. Like John, we can empty ourselves of self-importance and relevance, and humbly ask God to make us an instrument of his mission, renewed in hope, faith, and charity, offering our works as servants and witnesses to His goodness and glory.
How can we actualize this message today?
We are messengers of hope and love if we take our surroundings, our simple means, and humble possibilities and are not afraid to use them with courage to the end—just like John the Baptist made the most of his surroundings and remained steadfast to the end.
Hope can be re-born in our hearts again and again if we embrace the light of truth, beauty, and goodness—just like John the Baptist professed the Light and helped others prepare to welcome it in their hearts.
Trust can be rekindled if our entire life is put at the service of our mission—whatever unique mission may be entrusted to us--just like John the Baptist was singular and unique—like no man on Earth.
In Matthew 11:11, we find it written that, regarding John the Baptist, Jesus remarked: “I tell you this: John the Baptist is greater than any person who has ever lived until now. But now, anyone who belongs to the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John. Even the least important of them is greater than he is.” How should we interpret this verse other than to accept the great gift of love and mercy with which God invites us to be His friends. This is a new covenant, a new relationship, where we are invited as children of God to become part of his inner circle—his beloved. --Beacons of hope, beacons of love, beacons of light, instruments of healing for the world.