By Philip Raj A csc.
Readings: Mal 3:1-4,23-24; Lk 1:57-66
Both the readings of the day speak profoundly about John the Baptist, God’s messenger and the forerunner of Jesus Christ. In the book of Malachi, God promised to send His messenger to prepare the way for the Lord. God chose Zechariah and Elizabeth to bring forth John, the Baptist to this world. John, the Baptist was entrusted with a responsibility of preparing people to welcome Jesus into their hearts and proclaim baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of their sins.
Jesus honoured John, the Baptist by saying, ‘Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John, the Baptist’ (Mt 11:11). Jesus said these words not because of his humility but for the radical life he lived and for his prophetic voice.
As we are getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are invited to imbibe the qualities of John, the Baptist. Firstly, we need to introduce Jesus to people we come across in our daily lives not only through our words but also through our deeds and actions.
Secondly, we need to raise our prophetic voice to bring justice to the oppressed and marginalized groups of our society. Thirdly, we need to humble ourselves by not bragging about our success and achievements, rather admit to the contributions made by others towards our successes. With these, we can grow in humility and with gratitude. Therefore, let us imitate and imbibe the qualities and virtues of John the Baptist in our lives.