15 December 20133rd Sunday of Advent
“What did you go out to see?” Jesus asks his followers in today's gospel. When we look for Jesus, what do we "go out to see"?
Do we go to find Jesus in the tiny, everyday
miracle moments of our lives? Do we witness Jesus in the loving and kind
acts of people reaching out to each other? Do we experience his peace
when we forgive someone or ask for their forgiveness? Do we hear him speak to us
in his Sacred Word and embrace us in his Eucharistic gift to us?As we prepare to celebrate his coming to earth in innocence and humility, will we recognize the One who takes upon himself our salvation?
We know that John the Baptist did not live long enough to witness Jesus' giving of himself for us on the cross. John didn't get to see the empty tomb. Instead, beginning early in the time of Jesus' ministry, John is imprisoned and then executed like a criminal.
Like John, we don't always get to see how our efforts might lead others to Jesus. At times, we, too, are asked simply to offer ourselves in testimony to our Lord, maybe never knowing the healing, forgiveness or positive effect our actions may have on others. But like John, may we make straight pathways for the Lord’s coming in our world.
The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.
