The one who points us to Jesus

Today, as we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist, we are remembering someone who was called by God to deliver a vital message. John appeared in the desert with a new and radical message; the long awaited and promised Messiah was coming - get ready and prepare for him: turn and repent. John was only the messenger; he himself was not the Messiah. His role was to point to Jesus. ‘John was the messenger in time; Jesus is the Word for eternity.’

John gave his life ‘to testify to the light.’ He challenged the way people were living and treating each other and, like Jesus, it resulted in death. Closer to our own time we think of Maximilian Kolbe who gave his life for another prisoner in Auschwitz concentration camp. We think of Martin Luther King who gave his life for racial equality and justice. We recall Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, who was shot as he said Mass because of his concern, like John’s, for the poor and justice for them.

At present, we are rightly being reminded of the mistreatment and murder of people for what they say or appear to represent. Across the world and through the ages black people have been enslaved, marginalised, murdered and still we see callous brutality meted out regularly. Human beings are capable of great good but also terrible atrocities. John called out to people to end oppression and injustice, and the message remains all too relevant today.

We are all asked to be messengers by God. Each of us is asked to live, share and proclaim God’s love with courage and conviction, standing up for what is right. Let’s be inspired, encouraged and challenged by John the Baptist; prophet and messenger of God.

In our lonely, windswept wilderness places,

Where we stand forlorn,

Your voice calls out;

Prepare the way for the Lord.

In the dark places

and shadows where we hide our fears,

your voice calls out;

Prepare the way of the Lord.

In the streets we walk

And the paths we cross,

Guide our feet,

Take us to places where you would go,

Give us words that you would use

And help us to point the way

Away from our selves,

To your love.