Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“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.”

Gospel Reading: 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 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.

In today’s Gospel Reading, John is “the voice of one crying out in the desert.” He is proclaiming the presence of Christ among us.  While he is challenged and questioned, he stands firm in his resolution calling the people of Israel to “Make straight the way of the Lord.”  What is it that we are proclaiming?  What is the resolution of God that comes from your actions and your words?  The Pharisees sent messengers out to John the Baptist question him. John did such a great job witnessing to the Messiah that some thought that he might be the Messiah himself. But he was clear in his response, “I am not Christ… I am the voice of one crying out in the desert.” John’s mission was to lead and direct others to Christ through his own resolutions.   John was the pregame announcer making sure that everyone knew that Christ now dwells among us. John heralded the way of Christ. The Holy Spirit filled John the Baptist and gave him the strength to lead the way to Christ. The big question is, “Do you recognize Christ in your life?” Are you a voice crying out in the desert that Christ is among us?  When John walked this earth, he was blasting the trumpets and crying at the top of his lungs, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the World!” Today, we are given the same mission. Christ is among us and we must make straight the way of the Lord. We must make the commitment to live a life worthy of Christ. It is our job to lead others to Christ. Maybe the real question should be, “Do others recognize Christ in me?” Our New Years’ resolution should focus on making sure that we are witnesses of Christ.  But remember resolutions are empty promises which bear no fruit unless they are put into action.  It is in our action that we make way for Christ in our lives.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Lamb of God.

Make me the servant of your Word.

Help me to be faithful to your mission.

Let me make straight the way of the Lord.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon