Reflections
January 2, 2012, 1:37am
John 1:19-28
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 Messiah.” 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 Messiah 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.
Reflections
I am not the Messiah. John the Baptist tells people that he is not
the Awaited One and is unworthy to untie the straps of the Messiah’s
sandals. He is a sign pointing to Jesus, a voice preparing the way of
the Lord.
Humble and honest, John does not take advantage of his position
or his blood relationship with Jesus in order to be popular or to win
prominence for himself. He does not mislead, flatter, or confuse his
listeners.
John makes us realize the need to accept our limitations. There
will always be people better, greater, and more important than we. We
do not have a monopoly of intelligence and knowledge. We need others
and can learn from them.
Besides, there is more to life than medals, plaques, and
trophies. God is infinitely more than anything and anyone in this
world. Let us make God number one in our lives. After the example of
John the Baptist, let our motto be, “He must increase; I must
decrease.”
In what direction are our lives heading?
Are we bringing other people to God and the fullness of life?
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