Be a John

As we celebrate the feast day of St John the Baptist, we are reminded of his life and what God wants from us.

“What, then, will this child be?”

From his birth, we all knew John was special. He was born out of very old parents, his dad’s mouth became sealed when he did not believe, and when he believed and wrote that his name is John (instead of being named Zechariah, after him), his mouth was opened. Special talaga si John!

Even though he is special, john knew what his purpose was. He knew he was not the messiah, even if some people thought he was. In the second reading, we see john telling that he is preparing the way for the messiah, and the messiah is coming after him, whose sandals john is not worthy to untie. See, kahit special si John, alam nya saan sya lulugar. Alam nya yung purpose nya, and humble sya.

He did not want attention for himself. When his disciples left him to follow Jesus, he did not react. He let them, because he knew Jesus was the messiah, not he. His humility is also inspiring, saying that “God must increase, I must decrease.” Why did he not want attention for himself? The first reading tells us – my reward is with the Lord. Yes, his reward is with God, not with human favour, support or acceptance.

Tayo din special. It is just up to us to see and recognize it. The psalm says that God knows everything about us! He was there even before we were made and he formed us in our mother’s womb. knows our thoughts, he knows the depths of our soul.  He knows everything about us. Not only that, he made us, and we are wonderfully made. Talk about being special. Imagine, God being so crazy about us that he knows everything about us. Does not it make you feel special?

The realization of being special should make us feel like John. We should love God more, and we should live our lives glorifying God, leading people to him. We are not perfect, but we are special and we are loved, and these things God has been giving us should be enough to make us want to bring people to him so that they would see and realize how special they are too. In the process of bringing people to God, we should always remember that we should be glorifying God. All glory should be to him, not ours.

Do I believe I am a special child of God, created wonderfully? Do I base my self-worth and value on what other people say to me, or from God? Do I want attention to myself?  Am I willing to be like John, who prepared the way for God and brought people to him? Am I willing to decrease so that God may increase?

May we be like John and bring people to God for God’s greater glory.

Dear God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for the example of John the Baptist. Lord, may I have the heart of John. May I  always be focused on my mission to bring people to you so that they may experience your love, and in the process, glorify you. Amen.

Have a blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-