A lot is stirring in today’s readings, and it’s all being stirred by the Holy Spirit.  How in touch am I with the Holy Spirit?  Where in my life do I feel the Spirit moving, calling me?  If I were to “testify to the light” as John the Baptist is called to do, what in my life would I point to it?  If others asked  “Who are you?” how would I respond?  Who am I in terms of my relationship to others?  In terms of my relationship to Jesus?

It is essential to know who you are and who you’re not.  The prophet Isaiah speaks of a servant of God anointed for the task of proclaiming the good news.  In Mary’s “Magnificat,” the faithful servant is identified as the whole people of Israel.  The character of the servant is obvious.  The one who brings good news to the lowly, and healing and freedom to those who suffer, comes in the name of the Lord.

John the Baptist comes?  He refuses to identify himself with any particular title or role.  John is content to remain simply an anonymous “voice,” raised up to proclaim another rather than himself.  This deep show of humility is unusual in our world, among weak folk who clamor for attention, affection, loyalty, and power.  We want praise for what we do well; credit if we do anything at all.

John is a charismatic individual who acquires a cult following, but he chooses to shrug it all off like so much rubbish.  When asked, “Who are you?” he could claim any title and people might gladly give it to him.  Instead, John refuses to talk about himself at all.  Nor does he accept any identification with Elijah, the original super-prophet, nor any other sort of prophet either.

The truth will set you free, Jesus would later assure his disciples. John knows this without hearing it from anyone else.  John will not be poured into a mold or answer to any human being, not even King Herod, to his own peril.  John remains simply and effectively God’s mouthpiece, and in the end, the only way to stop his tongue is to cut off his head.

We don’t have to know, or to be, the smartest or most powerful person in the world in order to make it out of this world alive. We only need to know Jesus Christ, to be baptized in his name and to follow him as the one true road through the mess of human history.  John testified to this light, and we do too when we embrace the Gospel as true.

Alice Camille & Lloyd Baugh SJ