III SUNDAY OF ADVENT - John 1:6-8,19-28
John, called the Baptist, is a central figure of the Advent season. He came with a mission: to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. According to the gospel of John, the Baptist came to be a witness to speak for the light. Christ was the light and John the Baptist appeared as a witness called to speak of that light for people to recognise it and have their lives lightened up by it.
Like others before him, in protest against the corruption visible in Jerusalem, John went into the wilderness, living there in very harsh conditions. He survived on very little, having locusts and honey as his food. People recognised him as a man of God and crowds started flocking to him. And many, touched by his words, were baptised as a sign of repentance. Some became his disciples. The religious leaders in Jerusalem became worried about the impact of John’s ministry and decided to send a commission to inquire about his activities and his personality. As soon as they arrived, they asked a straight question to John: Who are you? By the ensuing questions - are you Elijah and are you a prophet? - they tried to put a tag on John, classifying him to be able to deal with him. John gave a straightforward answer, leaving no doubt about his mission. He is not the Messiah, he is not Elijah and he is not a prophet. And he presented himself simply as “a voice that cries in the wilderness”. As a voice, he calls out to people with a warning and with a message. The message is very clear: “Make a straight way for the Lord.” And this is exactly the same message he is addressing to us today. We must prepare the way for the Lord. How can we do that? By recognising our sin, repenting and turning back to the Lord.
John proved to be honest and truthful in his answers. He had no false pretentious and he did not attempt to deceive people in any way. With humility, he accepted his role in the plan of salvation. He was at the service of the Messiah, who was far greater than him. In fact, “I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.”
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