[Salvation]

Sunday, December 11

Third Sunday of Advent – Gaudete Sunday

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John: 1:6-8, 19-28

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A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.

And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.”

So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said:

“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The Gospel of the Lord.

[Salvation]

December 11th

Third Saturday of Advent – Gaudete Sunday

The Voice of Reason

In the Advent Gospel readings we encounter the enigmatic figure of John the Baptist. There we learn less about who John is than about who he is not. A litany of negatives describes the Baptist: he is not the light, he is not the Christ, he is not Elijah or the Prophet. When John finally identifies himself, he gives not a name, but a verse from Isaiah: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord.’”

Did John have a self-esteem problem? Far from it! In a striking way, John stands out in the Scriptures as a man who really knows his God given mission. John is the “friend of the bridegroom” who heralds the bridegroom’s coming. He is the “voice” who prepares the world for the Word.

Achieving self-knowledge in our own lives requires embracing similar sort of negatives: I am not in charge of what happens in my life, I am not the master of my situation, I am not the measure of all things. But when we clear out these fantastical (yes, fantastical!) illusions, we are liberating ourselves to be who God wants us to be. We are liberating God to work through us.

Lisa Lickona

Loving Father, my dignity and worth is my relationship with you. Free me from all that deceives me.