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
