The Holy Gospel according to 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection: Happy New Year! Today’s Gospel begins with John the Baptist giving testimony, or a solemn declaration, as he stands before the priests and Levites and makes it very clear, saying, “I am not the Christ.” John’s mission was to point others toward Jesus, who was coming after him. He tells the priests and Levites, “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord.” John’s mission was to prepare hearts, to level the ground, and to call people to repentance so they can recognize Jesus when He arrives.
This Gospel also reminds us that Christ often stands among us, unrecognized, especially those who are marginalized. We know that Jesus is present all around us, in the Eucharist and in the Scriptures.
We are invited to look at our own discipleship. Are we disciples to draw attention to ourselves and show others how good we are? Or are we disciples to point others to Christ by our words and actions? Like John the Baptist, we are called to be a voice, at home, our parish, in our workplaces, in our environments, preparing the way of the Lord by living lives of humility and faith.
Today is the Memorial of Sts. Basis the Great and Gregory of Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church. St. Basil and St. Gregory were close friends. These men were two of the four great doctors of the Eastern Church. The other two were Athanasius and John Chrysostom. They both fought against Arianism, a heresy in the 4th century that denied the full divinity of Christ. St. Basil became a great preacher. St. Basil challenged people to live simply and care for the poor and dying.
Action for the Day: May we pray for the grace to follow the lead of John the Baptist’s witness, to point others to the Lamb of God who came to save us. As John said, that we may decrease so that Jesus may increase.
Audio Reflection:
Thank you, Deacon Mike. Blessings to you and Martha in this new year.