Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
In our Gospel today, John the Baptist sends two of his disciples to question Jesus about his identity. I find this situation curious for two reasons. First, John had already expressed his self-understanding and calling as the one sent to prepare the way for the Lord, and second, Jesus and John were relatives. Surely John grew up hearing his mother Elizabeth tell the story about how he leapt in her womb when Mary came to visit early in her pregnancy. Certainly, John had heard Mary’s testimony about the visit from the Angel Gabriel and the miracle of Jesus’ conception. Today’s Gospel has me thinking about the ways in which we tend to question our own calling at times, and also how often we fail to recognize Jesus in the familiarity of those around us.
This past Sunday’s Gospel came from John chapter 1. The Jews sent religious leaders to question John the Baptist about his identity. John understood himself to be the one about whom Isaiah prophesied – the one sent to prepare the way of the Lord. In all humility, John knew himself to be a forerunner, one not worthy to untie the sandals of the Christ who was among them. Today we see John in a moment of vulnerable uncertainty. Perhaps he felt the pressure from the Jews and allowed their criticism and skepticism to rattle him. Maybe John got lost in self-doubt. Possibly he wasn’t seeing evidence to indicate that he was fulfilling his mission. It must have been terribly difficult for John to be the lone voice declaring the fulfillment of centuries of messianic prophecy! I don’t know about you, but I’ve had plenty of doubting moments – ones in which I questioned my own calling, asking the Lord, “am I being faithful to my assignment?” “is this really what I’m supposed to be doing?” “did I get this wrong?” “am I not hearing you correctly?” John was so undone he couldn’t even go to Jesus himself, he had to send others to ask his question for him. Jesus compassionately assures John by giving him the evidence he needs to be confident in his calling. Miracles are occurring. Yes, you are heralding the Messiah. Be at peace. Today, if any of us find ourselves questioning our own calling, our own mission, let’s sit at Jesus’ feet and ask him to give the assurance we need and the direction we might lack.
There’s a common phrase, “familiarity breeds contempt.” I think we often fail to recognize Christ in the ones most familiar to us, our closest family and friends. At least we often take for granted and are not mindful of the Christ in them. Perhaps because Jesus was John’s relative, John wondered if this could possibly be the Messiah. This is just Jesus, after all, Joseph and Mary’s kid, the cousin I played with as we grew up. Just an everyday guy. Does familiarity get in the way of our recognizing Christ in the faces of our beloveds? I know for me it does, at times. I often think to look for Christ in the stranger, but not in my children, not in my partner, not in my closest friends. Today’s Gospel is a good reminder for me to not only recognize but celebrate, every day, the Christ in my loved ones. Let us recognize and welcome everyone with whom we interact today as if s/he were Christ himself. And let us also be like John the Baptist, pointing them to Christ our Lord through our witness.
Today, let us pray that we might effectively prepare the way of the Lord in whatever our life mission may be and in every relationship we enjoy.
- Elizabeth Wourms