First Reading (1 John 2,22-28).
Reading of the First Letter of Saint John.
Dear friends, who is a liar if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? The Antichrist is the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son also does not possess the Father. Whoever confesses the Son also possesses the Father. Let that which you heard from the beginning remain within you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you will remain with the Son and with the Father. And this is the promise he made to us: eternal life. I write this about those who seek to lead you astray. As for yourselves, the anointing you received from Jesus remains with you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. His anointing teaches you everything, and it is true and not a lie. Therefore, as the anointing of Jesus taught you, remain in him. So now, little children, remain in him. This way we can have full confidence when he appears, and we will not be shamefully removed from him when he comes.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (John 1,19-28).
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
This was the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask, “Who are you?” João confessed and did not deny it. He confessed: “I am not the Messiah.” They asked, “Who are you then? Are you Elijah?” John replied, “I’m not.” They asked, “Are you the Prophet?” He replied, “No.” They then asked: “Who are you, after all? We have to bring an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John declared: “I am the voice that cries in the wilderness, ‘Plain the way of the Lord’ – as the prophet Isaiah said.” Now those who had been sent belonged to the Pharisees and asked: “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John replied, “I baptize with water; but among you is he whom you do not know, who comes after me. I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals.” This happened in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“Who are you?” This seemingly simple question has echoed through the ages since it was asked to John the Baptist by the priests and Levites of Jerusalem. It is a question that invites us to reflect deeply on our own identity and mission as followers of Christ.
In the first reading, John presents us with a fundamental truth: our Christian identity is intrinsically linked to the recognition of Jesus as the Christ. “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?” John is not just making a theological statement; he is inviting us to examine the true nature of our faith.
Think for a moment: what does it mean to truly recognize Jesus as the Christ? It is not just a matter of words or intellectual assent. It is something that should permeate every aspect of our existence. John tells us that “whoever confesses the Son has also the Father.” This is a profound truth about relationship – our connection with God the Father is inseparable from our relationship with Jesus.
And then, John offers us some precious advice: “As for you, continue in what you heard from the beginning.” In a world of spiritual fads and theological novelties, this exhortation is more relevant than ever. The fundamental truth of the Gospel—that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God come in the flesh—remains our unshakable anchor.
Returning to the Gospel, we find John the Baptist facing an interrogation about his identity. “Who are you?” ask the Jewish envoys. John’s response is notable both for what he affirms and what he denies. He does not claim grandiose titles for himself. “I am not the Christ,” he declares. “I’m not Elijah. I’m not the prophet.”
Instead, John identifies with the words of Isaiah: “I am the voice crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.'” What profound humility! John does not seek to draw attention to himself, but to direct all eyes to Christ.
This is a powerful lesson for us today. In a culture obsessed with self-promotion and building a personal brand, João shows us a different path. He understands that his identity and purpose are completely linked to his mission to prepare the way for Jesus.
“Among you is someone you do not know,” says John to the priests and Levites. These words still resonate today. How many times is Jesus present in our daily lives – in the poor, in the marginalized, in the suffering – and we do not recognize him? How can we open our eyes to see Christ in our midst?
John continues: “He is the one who comes after me, but was before me. I am not even worthy to untie the strap of his sandals.” This statement is not just about chronology; it is about the eternal nature of Christ and our own position of humble service before him.
Returning to the first reading, John reminds us that we have received the “anointing that comes from him.” This anointing is not a passive privilege, but an active responsibility. It enables us to discern the truth and abide in Christ.
“Abide in him,” John exhorts us, “so that when he appears we may have full confidence and not be confounded by him at his coming.” This is a call to perseverance, to constant fidelity in our walk with Christ.
My dear brothers and sisters, today we are called to reflect on our own identity in Christ. Like John the Baptist, we are called to be voices crying in the wilderness of our world, preparing the way for the Lord. This means living in such a way that our lives point to Christ, not ourselves.
We are called to recognize and confess Jesus as the Christ, not just with our words, but with our entire lives. We are called to stand in the truth we have received, standing firm in our faith amidst the storms of life.
And most of all, we are called to be attentive to the presence of Christ in our midst—in the sacraments, in the Word, in our community, and especially in the faces of those we encounter on our daily journey.
May the Holy Spirit help us to live this vocation with fidelity and joy. May we, like John the Baptist, decrease so that Christ can increase in our lives. And that when Christ appears, we can stand before him with confidence, knowing that we remain faithful to the truth of his Gospel.
Amen.
