By the Faithful Disciple
GROW AS A DISCIPLE
I want to be a sanctuary lamp,” Samantha, my childhood friend, once remarked. “To be the little flame that reminds everyone, ‘God is here.’” In those short phrases, Samantha summarized not only her personal vocation, but also the all-important mission of St. John the Baptist. Like the candle burning before the tabernacle, St. John was not the long-awaited Messiah; his God-given task was to point others to Jesus. We hear this theme of St. John’s message expressed repeatedly in today’s readings: “The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst”; “Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!”; “one mightier than I is coming.” God himself would soon be among them – indeed, he was already there. Although 2,000 years separate us from St. John the Baptist’s ministry, the little flame still burns in the sanctuary to remind us that God has not only come, but he remains in our midst. This is cause for rejoicing: the same Jesus to whom John pointed is present among us in the Blessed Sacrament.
GO EVANGELIZE
Becoming more attuned and attentive to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist – that is, to God in our midst – entails embracing another part of St. John the Baptist’s message. In today’s Gospel, St. John counsels people from all walks of life to prepare for the coming Messiah by changing their lives. Only by turning away from sin and committing themselves to God will they be able to recognize and follow Christ when he comes. If we desire deeper faith in the Eucharist, our preparation must be similar: we ask God to show us the dusty corners of our souls which we have concealed from his merciful love. Then, confident in his willingness to forgive, we approach him in the sacrament of confession. This is his ardent desire: that, having come among us, he might forgive and heal us. Such is the meaning behind the consoling words of the Prophet Zephaniah in today’s first reading: “He will rejoice over you with gladness and renew you in his love.”
SING
O Christ, whom nations sigh for Whom priest and prophet long foretold, come break the captive fetters, Redeem the long-lost fold.