1Reflection for Sunday, December 17, Third Sunday of Advent; John 1:6-8, 19-28

Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.

And 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.

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Reflection:

Have you thought or counted the things that you’ve done for God? For example, when you do something for the poor, do you claim it as credit for yourself? Or you do it because it’s for the greater glory of God? You don’t claim credit for what you do, you’re simply content to become a nameless and faceless instrument of God. 

John is silently speaking to our hearts through this third Sunday of Advent’s gospel. He tells us, when you do things for the poor always do it for the greater glory of God and not for your own glory. Be content to become a nameless and faceless instrument of God. John could have owned to himself his ministry from God but he did not, he pointed to Jesus as the greater power behind him.

Many times we fall into the trap of self-glorification at the expense of God and the poor that we help. Many times over we fall into the trap of raising ourselves to the altar of admiration and glorification instead of silently fading away in favor of Jesus.     

Because of his life changing preaching and the miracles that he did, John was asked by the priest and Levites, who are you? He humbly said I am not the Christ not even Elijah or a prophet (John 1:20-21). John further said, one mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals (John 1:27).

For the reason of the things that you do for God, what if somebody would ask you, who are you? Would you trumpet your qualities and achievements or you simply fade away and become a nameless and faceless worker for God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas