May the light of Christ bring you peace!
At the time that John the Baptist was on the scene, religious observance was often strict adherence to laws and customs. For some, being holy was an ostentatious display swollen with pride and arrogance which reduced the practice of religion to just another form of politics. In John however, there was no arrogance or pride, no attempt to impose his personal agenda or promote himself as the focus of attention. John’s only interest was to fulfill the task that God had given him: to prepare the people to meet Christ, the Savior. John’s baptism was one of repentance, which means turning the heart to God. In this, John was reminding the people, especially the leadership of Israel, that there must be a real and tangible connection between their religious rituals and their convictions. Their beliefs and faith experience of God should be a matter of heart reflected in the actions of their daily lives. In this context, baptism was an opportunity to re-establish the harmony and connection between one’s thoughts, words and actions.
Today’s Gospel account of John’s call to repentance reminds us of our own need to turn to God again and again. It also reminds us that Christian baptism goes further and deeper than just repentance. As Christians we are plunged into the life, death and resurrection of the Lord. We have become a new creation in Christ, we are members of his body the Church and called to be the eyes, the voice, the hands of Christ to the world. For us Christians, there is not supposed to be a dichotomy, proclaiming one thing and living in a manner that does not reflect those values. Obviously being a Christian is a lifelong journey that involves challenges, trials, achievements and failures, laughter and tears. But we believe that our efforts of conversion to grow in holiness will bring us grace for wholeness and salvation. Today, we are invited once again to turn to God with our hearts, to invite Christ’s saving power into our lives to overcome for us what we cannot do for ourselves. As we do this, others come to recognize what we know: that in Christ, God has come to dwell in our world to save!
May all blessings be yours! +++ Fr. Peter