Reflections on Scripture | Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
John 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,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing.

Reflection

There needs to be a connection between the Old and the New Testament and the connection was John, the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. And if there's anything unique about him as a human being, is the way in which he was always so aware that his role was not to be the Messiah, but only to point out who He was.

His humility, his understanding that he wasn't even worthy to untie the sandal of the one who is to come is a tribute to his conviction and his understanding of who Jesus really is. He could have bought into a lot of the things that people thought he was, but he stayed true to his message. It's the one coming after me that you need to pay attention to.

Closing Prayer

Father, you invite us to participate with you in the work of salvation. It's hard for us as human beings to not get in the way of someone like you who longs to be the source of everything for us. Give us this humility that we see in John the Baptist. So we will always give praise and glory to you for the work you do through us. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross