Posted by The WORD in other words (2019) by Fr Pelagio Pateno SVD – New Jersey, USA
January 2 – Before Epiphany
The central image in our Gospel is the precursor of Christ, St. John the Baptist proclaimed by our Lord as the greatest prophet of the Old Testament. His task was to prepare the people of Israel for the coming of the Messiah by preaching a baptism of repentance by water. But prior to this preparation, St. John went into the desert to prepare his life of detachment where he fasted and prayed.
John‘s answer to the many questions given by the priests and Levites expresses his personal virtue of humility — his unworthiness even to untie the sandal strap of that someone who is coming after him. This is one great testimony of St. John that all of us should focus on in our lives.
I remember the 3S of love which Fr. Linus, SVD taught us in Homiletics–to Suffer, to Sacrifice and to Struggle. With the humility of St John and with the SSS of love, we can demonstrate and manifest the true meaning of Christian life as we continue to struggle with courage and strong determination which are vital weapons in meeting our day-to-day problems with optimism.
