Mark 1:1-8
1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Meeting John the Baptist
Fruitful meetings often involve a mutual introduction of credentials and a keen dialogue. If we ask John the Baptist to introduce himself according to this text, he will say, “I am a voice preparing the way to the Word or the Lord. I am sent by God to convey a message. My message is ‘Repent, reconcile with God, with yourself, with your neighbor, and with creation.’”
There’s no need to ask him about what he eats or how he dresses! It is notable that he lives, teaches and proclaims his message in the desert that is devoid of life, where humans have a lot of challenges to survive.
He then has the right to ask us about our own credentials. Let us respond with transparency.
Who am I as a Christian today?
Do I have a message to deliver?
How faithful am I to the promises of my baptism?
Was my baptism a social event or a spiritual birth given by the power of the Holy Spirit?
Am I ready to prepare myself and others for the celebration of the first coming, and for the second one as well?
God will not leave me in the desert. If I return to Him with full trust in His magnificent mercy, He will provide for my spiritual and my other needs, even at the moment when I feel forsaken. God wants me to live hand in hand with His love, and to survive.
Do I worship my gods or The One True God?
Today, this Gospel invites us to meet John the Baptist with a clean heart and a good will, to listen to his voice and receive his message with Faith, Hope and Charity.