He was not the Light, but a witness to introduce the Light; This was the testimony of John,
when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” John recognized the
truth, and did not deny it. He said, “I am not the Messiah.”
And they asked him, “Then who are you? Elijah?” He answered, “I am not.” They said,
“Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Tell us who you
are, so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. How do you see yourself?”
And John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah, “I am the voice of one crying out in the
wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord!”
Those who had been sent were Pharisees; and they put a further question to John,
“Then why are you baptizing, if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?”
John answered, “I baptize you with water, but among you stands one whom you do
not know; although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.”
This happened in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
READ: Isaiah rejoices over a year of jubilee when God heals and restores his people,
re-establishing justice, fruitfulness, and peace. The final section from Paul’s first
Letter to the Thessalonians gives the people instructions about how to prepare
for the coming of the Lord with joy and faithfulness. The Gospel of John sings the
praises of John the Baptist who humbly witnessed to Christ.
REFLECT: Today is Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning, “rejoice.”
The readings reflect the joy we feel as we enter the final part of Advent, growing
ever closer to the great celebration of the Lord’s birth. In the secular world, it seems
as though the celebration of Christmas starts earlier every year. (I regularly see the
first Christmas displays in July!) By the time we reach this point in Advent, we can
be growing tired of the celebrations as if we are on joy overload.
Today’s celebration renews our joy, reminding us that Jesus is the source of our joy.
We rejoice not because of tinsel and tress, lights and presents, but because God has
come into our world to destroy death and open the gates of heaven.
PRAY: Lord, may I always rejoice in your love.
ACT: Gather with family and friends to do something fun.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023