***
Gospel: 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
***
***
“Who are you?” This was what every Jew and scholar of the Law wanted to know about John the Baptist.
“Who are you? Why are you here? What’s your purpose?”
Questions we all ask about ourselves.
While the answer for each person is unique, there are four things we can all say about ourselves.
***
We are loved by God. So loved that Jesus offers himself for us on a cross.
We are irreplaceable. There never has been and never will be another you. God makes each human being with a unique fingerprint, a singular combination of gifts, talents, personality, and purpose.
We are part of God’s family, the Church. Therefore, we are never alone; we are all parts of a greater whole.
We are a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Through baptism, God makes his home within us. It’s this Spirit who teaches, guides, sanctifies, and supports us through life.
***
So, “Who are you?”
We are unique, created with a singular purpose, like John the Baptist.
Take a few moments today to bring this to prayer. Ask the Lord to reveal why he created you – and what purpose he’s given you today.
***
***
Image credits: (1) Baptism of Our Lord, Andrea Verrocchio (2) Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (3) Upside-Down Savior