Who is John the Baptist and what is the significance of his message for our lives? Scripture tells us that John was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb by Christ himself, whom Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit. When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, John leaped in her womb as he was filled with the Holy Spirit. The fire of the Spirit dwelt in John and made him the forerunner of the coming Messiah. John was led by the Spirit into the wilderness prior to his ministry where he grew in the word of God and was tested in preparation for his prophetic mission.

John broke the prophetic silence of the previous centuries when he began to speak the word of God to the people of Israel. His message was similar to the message of the Old Testament prophets who chided the people of God for their unfaithfulness and who tried to awaken true repentance in them. Among a people unconcerned with the things of God, it was his work to awaken their interest, unsettle them from their complacency, and arouse in them enough good will to recognize and receive Christ when he came. He must have been eager to hear God’s word and to be changed by it through the power of the Holy Spirit.

John’s baptism was encouraging the people to repentance – turning away from sin and taking on a new way of life according to God’s word. Our baptism in Jesus Christ by water and the Spirit results in a new birth and entry into God’s kingdom as his beloved sons and daughters. The Lord Jesus comes to baptize each one of us in his Holy Spirit so that we may walk in his truth and holiness and radiate the joy of the Gospel to all we meet in our daily lives. God’s word has power to change and transform our lives so that we may be lights that point others to Jesus Christ. Like John the Baptist, we too are called to give testimony to the light and truth of Christ. Do we point others to Jesus Christ in the way we live, speak, and treat others?

Let us think about ourselves. Are we trying to recognize Christ in our lives and encouraging others to hear the word of God in their lives? Do we become an instrument in the lives of others showing them Christ in their daily lives? Are we grateful for all the talents we received from God and make use of them in spreading the Gospel? Are we trying to make use in our daily lives of the Spirit we received in Baptism by being good examples to others? We are today playing the role of John the Baptist – pointing out Christ to others and then vanishing behind the curtain. All that we do, we do for the greater glory of God in making others recognize Christ in their lives and then stepping back. May the Christ Jesus help us to be True and Humble disciples for him.

Love and prayers,
Fr. Charley