By Lynda MacFarland

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” ~ Matthew 3:2-3

I have always been inexplicably drawn to John the Baptist. He is wild and fears no one. He knows he is the herald of the Lord and that his job will be tough because who wants to hear that they should repent? Who wants to change their habits, especially bad habits (habitual sin)?

And John is not quiet. He yells, he accuses, he scolds, he warns. He is a prophet like those before him who speak truth to power. And it will end him too soon.

The Marvelous Baptist

John the Baptist is a man whom I marvel at and makes me a little afraid, even though I have repented, even as a believer. What moves him so? How did he come to be so passionate, so courageous?

I wonder. John’s mother felt John leap for joy in her womb when Jesus, a tiny fetus, entered her home. This is a person who has always known that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. John could not contain what he knew about Jesus, even if he had cared to try.

He’s like a man who sees a house engulfed in flames, who grabs a person from the flames and carries him out, throws him to the ground, and runs back into the fire to save another. John doesn’t want anyone to perish, and though he may treat the victims of the flames roughly, and they may even get a few bruises as John saves them, he can’t worry about that. Time is short.

“Those who lose their life for my sake will find it”

Eventually, John will lose his life because he would not stop returning to the burning house to save as many souls as he could. He knew his time to depart was nearing.

When he tells his disciples to follow Jesus and that he must decrease so Jesus can increase, maybe he didn’t just mean he’d be less popular; he’d be imprisoned. John was also thinking about the end of his earthly life: I must decrease. Forget about me; listen to Jesus. Follow Jesus. I am only a lowly servant, so low in fact that I am unfit to loosen Jesus’ sandal strap. Such humility. Jesus must have been amazed by His cousin.

John only knows he must warn and tell everyone what they must do to be a follower of Jesus. But Jesus will heal, forgive sins, teach, raise people from the dead, deliver them from evil, and give His flesh for the life of the world.

Jesus will have his own moments of righteous indignation, of flipping tables, of criticizing religious leaders. He will even use the same term as John, “brood of vipers,” to describe them, and Jesus goes on to speak of the fruits that reveal men’s souls to us. Just like John in today’s Gospel reading.

When the Truth speaks, evil cannot bear it. John knew that, as does Jesus. John prepared the way for Jesus; Jesus saved the world.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, give me the grace to always be a herald of the Good News. Grant me courage, peace, and wisdom as I evangelize and share Your bountiful mercy and endless love with others. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Call to Action

Be light, be salt, be leaven, be grateful for ALL good gifts the Lord provides to us!

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