2nd January (English)

Gospel text

(Jn 1,19-28): 

This was the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him, «Who are you?». John recognized the truth and did not deny it. He said, «I am not the Messiah». And they asked him, «Then who are you? Elijah?». He answered, «I am not». They said, «Are you the Prophet?». And he answered, «No». Then they said to him, «Tell us who you are, so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. How do you see yourself?». And John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah, «I am the voice crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord». 

Those who had been sent were Pharisees; so they put a further question to John: «Then why are you baptizing if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?». John answered, «I baptize you with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal». This happened in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The message

The Indians have the luxury of living very close to the rishis’ and contemplatives who are very often live in our society, closely attached to the humanity, fully detached from the worldly pleasures. For the good Christians, these contemplatives can also be a good models in the ascetic life, fully living in this world. Though they don’t associate to Christ in person, they associate to Christ in God and in spirit.

We are all called to such life, a witnessing life, just like John the Baptist, living fully the ascetic life in a different way, encouraging us to live our life of conversion without abusing the pleasures, which are the signs and indicators, to attain the divine joy and peace.

These inner life will be visible only to us, unless and until we be confronted by an exterior force, particularly questioning our own true identity. John reveal this identity to this external force, identifying, not only what  he is, but also what is before and after him, most importantly directing them to search with in themselves, the saviour of the world, who remains invisible to the human eyes, however remains visible and accessible to the eyes of FAITH.

It is our own Christian duty to identify this Christ in us and reveal Him to the world, through our witnessing life, filled with love and mercy. The more we are filled with mercy and love, the more we become the light and hope for the people, who are sincerely seeking the divine saviour in their personal life. Out witnessing life is a light for us, for our family and to our dear and near noes. This light will remove the darkness, and will liberate many from the malice of evil.

Daily Quote from the early church fathers: 

John points to the Redeemer, by Gregory the Great (540-604 AD)

"John did not baptize with the Spirit but with water, since he was unable to take away the sins of those being baptized. He washed their bodies with water but not their hearts with pardon. Why did one whose baptism did not forgive sins baptize, except that he was observing his vocation as forerunner? He whose birth foreshadowed greater birth, by his baptizing foreshadowed the Lord who would truly baptize. He whose preaching made him the forerunner of Christ, by baptizing also became his forerunner, using a symbol of the future sacrament. With these other mysteries he makes known the mystery of our Redeemer, declaring that he has stood among people and not been known. The Lord appeared in a human body: he came as God in flesh, visible in his body, invisible in his majesty." (excerpt from FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 4)

«Among you stands one whom you do not know; although he comes after me»

Mons. Romà CASANOVA i Casanova Bishop of Vic 
(Barcelona, Spain)

Today, in the Gospel of the Eucharist liturgy, we read the testimony of John the Baptist. The text preceding these words in St. John's Gospel is the prologue where it is clearly affirmed: «And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us» (Jn 1:14). What was announced in the prologue —as a great prelude— is now, step by step, manifested in the Gospel. The mystery of the Incarnated Verb is the mystery of salvation for mankind: «Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ» (Jn 1:17). Salvation comes through Jesus Christ, and faith is the answer to the manifestation of Christ. Whoever believes in Him is saved.

The mystery of salvation in Christ is accompanied always by the testimony. Jesus Christ himself is «The Amen, the faithful and true witness» (Rev 3:14). It is John the Baptist who bears witness with his vision and gaze as a prophet: «Among you stands one who (…) comes after me» (Jn 1:26-27). And this is how the Apostles understand their mission: «God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses» (Acts 2:32).

The whole Church, and therefore all its members, have the mission of bearing witness. The testimony we bring to the world has a name. Jesus Christ is the very Gospel. He is the “Good News”. And the proclamation of the Gospel all over the world must also be understood as the key of the testimony uniting inseparably the announcement and the life. It is good to remember the words from Pope Paul VI: «Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses rather than to teachers and if he does listen to teachers it is because they are witnesses».