A Daily Dose of John the Baptist

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, December 10th, 2023:
Second Sunday in Advent

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Mark
1:1-18

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the Prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.’”

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

How do you imagine John the Baptist? For me, I see him as a rather unkempt person with wild hair and a daunting presence, but also physically large (difficult, I know, on a diet of locusts and wild honey!). More importantly, the intensity and passion for the message he proclaimed must have almost been palpable to those present. In some ways he was like the best town crier with the most important message in the history of the world, and in other ways he was rather like a bulldozer! Isaiah foretold of a prophet urgently “crying out in the wilderness,” actively preparing the people for the imminent arrival of the promised Saviour. With the metaphorical strength and purpose of a bulldozer, John fervently shared his message, urging people to make their paths straight—to repent, and be baptized—to fully receive “the Way” of the Lord. 

This Sunday, the second candle of Advent will be lit to signify our confident and expectant hope in the coming of Jesus Christ. The Gospels of both the second and third Sundays of Advent are always dedicated to John the Baptist and his prophetic work as Jesus’ appointed herald. When I reflect on this scripture, it’s apparent that I need a daily dose of this saint in my spiritual life!  When was the last time I authentically sat in joyful, eager, and confident expectation of the Lord? And, more importantly, when have I shared this life-giving truth with both the urgency and deep surety of John the Baptist? 

It’s easy to get caught up in the hyperfocus on parties and “stuff” of the Christmas season.  We’re not all called out to the wilderness, but we are called to be a witness to the Good News. This Advent, take inspiration from this saint, camel-hair shirt and all, and intentionally ask the Lord to give you a measure of Saint John’s fervent courage to share the Gospel with the people in your path.





Patty Viscount

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