Daily Reflection – Jan 2, 2016

Saturday 2 January 2016

First Reading: 1 John 2:22-28
Responsorial Psalm:
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God
Psalm 97(98):1-4
Gospel Reading: John 1:19-28

Today’s Saint: St Basil the Great and St Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church

Gospel Reading:

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.

Reflection:

I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord”.

The saints remembered today were early Fathers of the Church, paving the theological path forward for Christianity. Much earlier still, John the baptiser cried out in the wilderness, preparing the way for Christ.

John the Baptist set the template for courage, humility and foresight, while Saints Basil and Gregory in their roles were strong leaders and thinkers of the early Church.

How do I, with my gifts and in my circumstances, make way for Christ today? Am I a prophet who speaks and act for those in need?

Christ in the displaced peoples, the suffering poor and the hurting world, may I have the strength to answer your call.