Who are You?

Third Sunday of Advent (B)
John 1: 6-8, 19-28

This gospel for the Third Sunday Advent invites us to reflect on these questions: “Who are you?” and “What do you have to say for yourself?” The honesty of our spiritual lives depends to a great extent on how we relate to psychological inflation. Do we mentally stand up and applaud ourselves? Do we feel puffed up because we met or associated with some celebrities? When others say we are the greatest, do we believe? When we hear it said of someone else, do we think it is said only to be polite but not really meant as in our case?

            John the Baptizer can help us glory in being part of the common people without trying to be some kind of a heavenly-sent dignitary. As we now joyfully await the birthday celebration of Jesus, we bask in the golden glory He has shared with us and acclaim Him as the one true Celebrity whom we adore. Happy to have the dignity of being His servants, we testify to the  light but like John the Baptist we realize that we are not the light.

            As we move a step closer towards Christmas, we now  pray to God our Father that we may always find Christian joy in our hearts: “O LOVING FATHER, WITH CONFIDENCE WE PLACE OUR NEEDS BEFORE YOU. TEACH US TO DEDICATE OURSELVES TO YOUR WAY OF LIFE AND IN DOING SO, TO FIND OUR PEACE. WE ASK YOU THIS IN THE LIGHT AND IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH JESUS YOUR SON OUR LORD. AMEN.