January 03, 2015
Christmas Weekday
Gospel Jn 1:29-34
“John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him”
John the Baptist has the privilege to see Jesus in person. But what is more important is that john recognized Jesus as the Messiah – Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He recognized Jesus with the eyes of faith. This was made possible by the grace of God, his purity and holiness brought about by his self-abnegation and complete detachment to the world and his humility. The humility of john is very profound. When pressed as to the question of his identity he answered the representative of the Pharisees in this ways – “I baptize you with water, but among you stand one, whom you do not know, although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.”
In our time we cannot see Jesus anymore in person. But we can see Jesus in the Eucharist and the Saints. We can see and recognize Jesus in our daily lives and experience the presence and embracing love and mercy. We can see and experience he presence of Jesus, who is our Emmanuel God – the God with us, in people. As wisely said “From our way of reasoning, speaking and doing, one who sees and hears us must be able to say: look at another Christ” (November 15 reflection in the 365 Days with the Lord year 2014)
As we approach advent, let us prepare ourselves and see with the eyes of faith so that we can receive Jesus in our hearts and experience the joy He brings to the world.
St. Faustina, pray for us!
George M. Camins
Faculty, School of Management and Accountancy
