I Am the Voice

Third Sunday of Advent

“What do you have to say for yourself?” John said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’”   (John 1:22,23)

Reflection

John the Baptist is generally understood as the cousin of Jesus.  In art they are pictured together as little kids.  They might have been like twins, hard to tell the difference.  In today’s Gospel, the evangelist tells us that John appeared in Bethany (which means house of welcome).  “He came for testimony, to testify to the light.”  He was related to Jesus, but now was very distinct. 

God called John to set himself in service to Jesus, as one who points to the goodness of the light.   And this was no easy service project for the Baptist.  He spent a long time testing all sorts of roles.  You can almost hear him in prayer trying to find clarity in his vocation: “Hmmm.”  I am not the Christ.  I am not Elijah.  I am not a prophet.  The priests asked him, “What do you have to say for yourself?” No longer does he struggle with what he is NOT, no longer does he answer “I am not.”  The fire inside moves the Baptist to announce with a clear voice, “I am.”

I am the voice of one crying out “prepare a way for the Lord.”

His mission was clear and he remembered lessons learned long ago from his mother Elizabeth, his Aunt Mary, his uncle Joe, and his cousin Jesus.  The Baptist found his role in the family, and it was to raise his voice as a help to guide others in the right direction.  To lead others to justice and mercy.  You too have such a voice. 

They say these are the dark covid days of December.  Yes, the sunlight is fading fast, but this week on this Third Week of Advent, when our pink candle shines a bit more brightly, rejoice as you announce your role in the human family, “I am some one who helps others see things a bit more brightly.”