John 1:19-28

1 John 2:22-28

Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd

John 1:19-28

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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you guide the Church through your Spirit to all truth. Guide me today as I contemplate the figure of John the Baptist, your voice in the wilderness.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Voice in the Desert: In the Gospel today, we encounter the figure of John the Baptist. The priests and Levites wanted to know who John was and why he was baptizing the people. To figure out who he was they brought up various figures prophesied and foretold in the Old Testament. John responded to their questions by telling them that he is not the Messiah (see Daniel 9:24), Elijah (see Malachi 3:23), or the Prophet-like-Moses (see Deuteronomy 18:18). He identified himself as the voice prophesied by Isaiah (40:3-5). At the same time, John was connected to all these figures. Although he was not the Anointed One or royal Messiah, he would anoint Jesus by baptizing him in the Jordan River and testify to the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus. Although he was not Elijah in person, he did fulfill the prophecy of Malachi concerning the return of Elijah. Although he was not the ultimate Prophet-like-Moses, John was the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets (Matthew 11:11). John knows that his role is to be the humble voice crying out to gather the people of God in the wilderness. He is fully aware that he is preparing the people for the arrival of the Messiah. John’s baptism is an occasion for repentance, but not forgiveness.

2. Jesus’ Anointing Teaches Us: John’s baptism was unable to bring about our participation in divine life. John was clear that his baptism of water would bring about repentance, but that Jesus’ baptism would be superior and bestow not only forgiveness but also the gift of the Holy Spirit. The First Letter of John reflects on the baptismal anointing we have received. The letter draws out a contrast between the anti-Christs who deny that Jesus is the Christ and Son of God and those who are christened and anointed with the Holy Spirit who are taught the truth about Jesus and remain in him. Through our christening and Baptism, we have received eternal life and abide in the Triune God. Through our Baptism, we are children of God the Father, we are members of the body of God the Son, and we are temples of God the Holy Spirit.

3. Remaining in God: We have received a tremendous gift through our anointing as priests, prophets, and kings at our Baptism. What are we doing to care for and use that divine gift? On the one hand, we need to remain in God and remain united to the vine of Christ. If we break that communion with God, we have the Sacrament of Reconciliation to restore that communion. But the Christian life is so much more than just not breaking our communion with God. Empowered by God’s grace and life, we are called to flourish as God’s sons and daughters and do what we can to help others come to share in divine life.

Conversing with Christ: Lord, I know that you have called me and given me so much. Help me respond to your call and remain with you as I go about my day. 

Resolution: Moved and sustained by God’s grace, I will listen to the voice of John the Baptist and renounce what leads me away from God. I will seek God in the desert away from the distractions of this world.