Footprints

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, January 12th, 2025:
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

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Luke
3.15-16, 21-22

​As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

John the Baptist’s footprints on the Gospel are actually quite large compared to those of other figures. His birth, like Jesus’, is foretold by an angel to a couple who couldn’t by earthly wisdom be welcoming a child (Luke 1:5-25). He is there in Elizabeth’s womb, leaping for joy, when Mary comes during the early days of her pregnancy (Luke 1:41). He is the subject of a prophecy given by his father Zechariah, echoing the words of Isaiah’s prophecy that John would go before the Lord to “prepare a way for him” (Luke 1:76). As an adult, John fulfills that prophecy, acknowledging that he is the “voice of one crying out in the wilderness, as Isaiah the prophet said” (John 1:23). He takes on his public ministry, preaching and giving a baptism of repentance (Matthew 3:11).

In time, John the Baptist’s ministry grows in popularity throughout the region. By the time we reach the scene from Sunday’s Gospel, John the Baptist has established himself. Before his death, John has been preparing for this seamless transition to Jesus’ earthly ministry. John reminds us, “[O]ne who is more powerful than I is coming.” In fact, he points Jesus out to two of his disciples, declaring that He is “the Lamb of God” (John 1:36). Those two disciples, one of whom is Andrew, immediately leave to follow Jesus and become His disciples.

John the Baptist’s humility is one of the most reliable litmus tests for Christian leadership. John is there, literally putting his neck on the line, and yet he manages to have the humility not to celebrate himself but instead to acknowledge the truth of God’s greatness. At every opportunity, he recognizes how his mission is to make way for Jesus – and, in the end, to step away. He doesn’t jealously guard the attention being lavished on him. It is important for people to listen, so John speaks with the power and gifts given to him, but his message never points to himself – always to Jesus.

Like John the Baptist, we are also empowered with gifts and talents. Sometimes, in the lives of those around us, our footprints are among the most prominent in their journey towards heaven. We prepare the way and help others to follow us. I pray that, when I do that, I can embrace John’s radical humility. Although mine are the footsteps they follow, this doesn’t mean that I’m the destination. I can succeed in my mission, just as John did, by always pointing those who follow me towards the one real thing – Jesus – and by giving them the boost to travel the road ahead of them when they’re ready.


Stéphanie Potter

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