John the Baptist’s Testimony to Jesus

Today's Reflections

St. Genevieve
Most Holy Name of Jesus
(OptM) White
Tuesday before Epiphany
WHITE

1 Jn 2:29—3:6
Ps 98
Jn 1:29-34

John the Baptist’s Testimony to Jesus

²⁹[John] saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. ³⁰He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ ³¹I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” ³²John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. ³³I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.’ ³⁴Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

Reflection:

I have seen and testified. John’s task is to make Jesus known. He testifies that Jesus is the Son of God and the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

John points to the person of Jesus. He plays his role to the full, without attempting to steal the limelight from Jesus. After he fulfills his mission, John walks away and disappears from the scene. He does not cling to his position; he does not interfere in the events about to unravel.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be his witnesses and to proclaim his good news through lives of caring and loving. After we have done our job, let us fade into the background. Let us not steal the scene from Jesus who should be the center of attention. We play only the supporting roles. Jesus is our superstar.

Is Jesus alive in my life? Do I have the courage to stand and testify to him? What can I do to make people feel and know that I am witnessing to Jesus?