The Preaching of John the Baptist

Today's Reflections

The Preaching of John the Baptist 

graceandspace.org

Lk 3:1-6

¹In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, ²during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. ³He went throughout [the] whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, ⁴as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one crying out in the desert:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make straight his paths.

⁵Every valley shall be filled

and every mountain and hill shall be made low.

The winding roads shall be made straight,

and the rough ways made smooth,

⁶and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

Reflection:

The word of God came to John. The list in the Gospel is pretty impressive. The names are all political and religious heavyweights—the Roman emperor Tiberius Caesar, the governor Pontius Pilate, the tetrarchs, and the high priests. They are big names in the Judean world.

Then comes the name John. Who is he? He has no title, no position, or no weighty credential. He is just the son of Zechariah. He comes from the desert. His origins are humble, in contrast to the prominent figures whose areas of jurisdiction are mentioned.

Yet, John receives the highest compliment. He is given the best credentials: the word of God comes to him. What we are in society, what we possess, does not guarantee that the word of God will find a place in our lives. Our position does not necessarily qualify us to bear God’s message.

John is the voice of God. He speaks about Jesus and proclaims his coming. He carries his mission in simplicity and faithfulness to God. To welcome the word of God and to become his voice, we should strive to be like John: simple, straight, and smooth.

What are the things I have to straighten up?

How can I do this?

Am I traveling the right path to God?