Dear Friends,
John the Baptist described himself as being only a voice, a voice that announces the Word. The voice fades but the Word of God remains. We are also a voice that is able to announce Jesus Christ. And through our voice God’s word can enter the heart of the other person. If you and I don’t speak then Christ may not enter their life. Father Tom and I were visiting the homes close to us to announce the gospel and the people were so happy to hear this news. Sometimes the people call the police, but not this time.
Isaiah gives those returning from exile, from Babylon, a word of consolation: I will rebuild your country and the foreigners will provide the materials and you will be a nation of priests. Priests not with a collar, but with a priestly soul who offers to God all that he or she does, all that they suffer or worry about. At your baptism you were anointed a priest, prophet and king.
The Jews ask John (and us) who are you? This is a question that is simple and is also very difficult. St. Bernard would ask himself: who am I, why am I here and what am I doing? This question would encourage him to work more seriously at acquiring good habits. It helped him to be one of the greatest saints of the Middle Ages. It is not the clothes or the way we walk that makes us a Christian but a pure life, a charitable manner, a humble heart.
The people who ask Jesus this question have no reaction when he responds. They express no interest in him. They are only asking for others but they remain totally detached. They don’t even say, “Really?” The same thing can happen to us. We can ask about Jesus Christ but it doesn’t affect our lives.
John goes on to tell the Jews that there is one among you who is Jesus Christ but they did not recognize him. Christ is among us also but we may not recognize him. Perhaps it is your spouse or a brother in the community or a colleague at work and you might not see that he or she is Christ. It could be the one who is a pain in the neck. He is Christ for you. Think about this. Could it be that this person is in your life for a particular reason? He or she is there to make you a saint, to help you to be more patient and kind and one who forgives more easily.
Let us take advantage of these last two weeks of Advent to look for Christ and speak to him about our lives, and not be afraid to be a voice of Christ to others.