Today’s Gospel presents John the Baptist. In this passage people are asking John who he might be. They ask him if he is the Christ, or Elijah, or the prophet who is to come. John responds that he is none of these. He is the one who is preparing the way for the Lord. The people who questioned John were priests and Levites sent by the Hebrew authorities in Jerusalem. They were not sincerely seeking the Messiah,but we are. We are looking for His presence in our lives. We are looking for Him to come a second time and bring justice and peace to the world. We are looking for Him to heal the sick and to heal us. At the same time, we know that His presence is real in the world and in our lives. Rejoice, this Sunday tells us. The Rose vestments remind us that this is a time of great expectations. Rejoice Christmas is almost here. Rejoice that we do not have to wonder about Christ. We only have to question ourselves: “Are we letting Him into our lives.” Many people are seeking and hoping for something to fill their needs this Christmas. Children are looking for toys; adults are looking for gifts that express love. This is all good, but what is it that we really need? What is it that we are really seeking? We can’t be satisfied with just saying that Christmas is about Jesus. Our lives must be about Jesus. He gives us meaning, and purpose, and beauty. Rejoice in the Lord.


QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Who are you?
2. Do you know your roots, your true identity as God knows it?
3. Do you recognize your identity as a child of God and a citizen of heaven?
4. Do you point others to Jesus Christ by the example and witness you give to others?

PRAYER
Lord, help me to be a faithful witness of the joy of the Gospel and to point others to you as John did through his testimony.

Amen.

by Hồng Ân Chúa