January 2, 2015 FRIDAY Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors JOHN THE BAPTISTS TESTIMONY TO HIMSELF (Jn1:19:28) This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, Who are you? He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, I am not the Christ. So they asked him, What are you then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not. Are you the Prophet? He answered, No. So they said to him, Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself? He said: / I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,/ Make straight the way of the Lord,/ as Isaiah the prophet said. Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?John answered them, I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie. This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING OUT IN THE DESERT IN Johns gospel, the theme of witnessing or giving testimony (martyria) is central. Those who have heard Jesus preaching and have known Him are called upon to give witness. In the Gospel, John the Baptist testifies to the Jews about himself, especially in relation to the Christ. He declares in no ambiguous terms: he is not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet. Rather, he is the voice of one crying out in the wilderness that people should make straight the way of the Lord. Many of us try to build ourselves up, even at the cost of the truth. We magnify ourselves beyond what we truly are. We invent achievements we never had; we attribute to ourselves what really belongs to others. As one song reminds us, Honesty is such a lonely word; everyone is so untrue. John the Baptist knows his precise role in Gods plan. His is only preparatory to that of Jesus. And yet, John carries out his role to the utmost, even at the cost of his life in a most absurd circumstance. The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept His offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With our Lord Christ, joy is constantly born anew. Amen!
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 00:22:46 +0000
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