John the Baptist knew who he was through Christ and he used his very self to point others to Christ. Deacon Tom Elitz, SJ, reflects on John’s example and how we might find our own identity in and through Christ. Based on the readings for Sunday, December 17, 2023.
John the Baptist knows who he is, and knows who he is not
Hi I’m Deacon Tom Elitz, and this is my One-Minute Homily
As Christians, we know who we are, and we know whose we are, by looking at Jesus – the one who has loved us into being, and has called us each by name.
But so often, we’re tempted to find our identity in the opinions of those around us. We compare ourselves to others, and we worry what they think about us.
In today’s Gospel, John shows us what it looks like to have our identities grounded in Christ. John knows who he is, and he knows who he is not. And he doesn’t let the opinions and demands of the Pharisees change that.
In these final weeks of Advent, we are invited to consider who we are before God. And as we grow into this genuine identity, our hearts will be better prepared to receive the One who is coming into the world.
