Christmas Time: Wednesday January 2, 2019
Reflection on the WORD
John the Baptist - Humility: In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist introduced Jesus to his followers as one to whom he is “not worthy to undo the straps of His sandals.” Do we witness our faith in Jesus, with the same humility and passion of John the Baptist or do we glorify ourselves, through our impure motives?
Jn 1:19-20,23-28
This was the witness of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He declared, he did not deny but declared, ‘I am not the Christ.’
He said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied: A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord. Make his paths straight!’ Now those who had been sent were Pharisees, and they put this question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the Prophet?’
John answered them, ‘I baptise with water; but standing among you - unknown to you - is the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandal.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- •John the Baptist did not deny that he was a witness for Christ and was preparing the way for Christ.
- •John shows us that true greatness is to have the humility to recognize that we are merely servants of God and that it is a great honour to be called to serve Him in whatever ways we can.
- •Let us ponder that it is an honour to serve God. Yet it could involve much obligation or burden to make the needed sacrifices in our service.