“I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him…He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:27-30
The Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist (June 24) is “something sacred, and [John] is in fact the only saint whose day of birth is celebrated,” observes St. Augustine.
John’s voice was fleeting, whereas Jesus’ is the everlasting Word from Genesis, “In the Beginning”. He lived boldly to tell of the Lord’s coming, and his martyrdom shows that faith takes great sacrifice. He listened to God, acted in accordance with God’s will, and even in his death, he never wavered from the truth and his belief in God’s beloved Son.
St. John was a prophet who preached about Christ, and reminds us of our mission; we are called to be forerunners of Christ in our world today. “The Lord uses us as torches, to make that light shine out,” wrote St. Josemaria Escrivá, “Much depends on us; if we respond, many people will remain in darkness no longer, but will walk instead along paths that lead to eternal life.”
The thirst for God is as strong today as it was back in the first Century AD, when John the Baptist preached. Jesus trusts us to follow him, and makes himself known in our actions, in our conversations, in our workplaces, families and friendships; at grocery stores, at the bank, or even in our own kitchens. No place is out of bounds for his message of love and grace.
We can help hearts open to receive Jesus just as John the Baptist did. In order to do this, we need to be consistent with our message and how we act. It is best to lead by our example, which shows our belief and confirms what we teach.
“The mission of the forerunner is to disappear, to take second place, when the one he announces has arrived,” writes Father Francis Fernandez-Carvajal.
Two important virtues for those who announce Jesus are “humility and detachment,” writes Father Fernandez-Carvajal. “Deeply humble, John wants only the glory of his Lord and God. Thus, he protests openly: I baptise you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Humility helps us to be like empty clay vessels ready to be filled by Christ’s love, so we can fulfill God’s will in our lives without our getting in the way. Detachment is a virtue that creates an openness to the Lord and allows us to let go of anything we may cling to for control or out of fear. These two virtues are necessary to be followers of Christ.
I want to be a forerunner of Jesus, like John, and so I pray: Lord, show me the way. Be the light in my life and let only your will be done. You can be the voice in my conversations in the midst of every environment you have placed me in. Lead me where you want me to share your love. I know that you have already given me a mission to light up the lives of the loved ones you have blessed me with. Overflow your Spirit into my heart, mind and soul. I don’t want to get in the way of your plan.
What is our life’s work? Like John the Baptist, it is to live out Christ's way of life so as to go unnoticed when serving others and carrying out our duties with human excellence. The more we allow Christ to fill our ordinary lives, our hearts will flood with joy, like when John leapt with joy in Elizabeth’s womb during the Visitation in the Gospel of Luke.
Thank you, St. John the Baptist, for showing me my mission. You are a courageous witness that I can continue to be inspired by to welcome the arrival of Christ in my life and in others’ lives.
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