I am the voice
Published Jan 2, 2023 12:05 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY
When Pope Francis visited the Philippines in 2015, we all did our share in preparing for his coming. For such a momentous occasion we needed to prepare ourselves for his visit—not just externally but also internally. And so it was that our hearts were aflame when he came as we all longed even to just catch a glimpse of him. His presence and his words evoked strong emotions in us, especially that of gratitude because truly in him God visited us. His message was not simply his but that of God himself; after all, he is the Vicar of Christ on earth. He became the “voice,” like John the Baptist, that roused us to welcome God in our hearts and to order our lives. Indeed, at times we need to hear “voices,” people who encourage us to welcome God in our lives. It does not have to be the Pope, of course. Even our simple yet exemplary neighbor can be this voice. Perhaps we can be that voice, too, for others.
Gospel • Jn 1:19-28
This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 27the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 28This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Paul's, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
When Pope Francis visited the Philippines in 2015, we all did our share in preparing for his coming. For such a momentous occasion we needed to prepare ourselves for his visit—not just externally but also internally. And so it was that our hearts were aflame when he came as we all longed even to just catch a glimpse of him. His presence and his words evoked strong emotions in us, especially that of gratitude because truly in him God visited us. His message was not simply his but that of God himself; after all, he is the Vicar of Christ on earth. He became the “voice,” like John the Baptist, that roused us to welcome God in our hearts and to order our lives. Indeed, at times we need to hear “voices,” people who encourage us to welcome God in our lives. It does not have to be the Pope, of course. Even our simple yet exemplary neighbor can be this voice. Perhaps we can be that voice, too, for others.
Gospel • Jn 1:19-28
This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 27the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 28This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Paul's, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.