What makes you hide your real self from others? Why can’t you be honest – even before God? - Daily Reflections January 2,2014

WHO ARE YOU?

 

“Who are you?”

       This is often the question of someone who does not know you. It can express curiosity but also suspicion. Those who came to John the Baptist and asked Him, “Who are you?” were certainly not curious but suspicious. This John, who dressed like the prophet Elijah, was the son of a priest but had no connection with the Temple. He was seemingly close to the sect of Essenes, who were in opposition to all that the Temple stood for.

       And so John the Baptist was interrogated about his ministry: first by some priests and Levites, and then some Pharisees. John could have said that he was a prophet sent by God, or that he was the Messiah, as several pseudo-messiahs had done before him. But he tells his interrogators that he is not the Messiah, not Elijah, not the prophet. All three – a Messianic King, Elijah or an Elijah-like figure, and a prophet like Moses – were expected by the Jews at that time. John is denying that he is any of these. He presents himself as nothing but a simple messenger.

       Who are you? It’s quite human to brag about who we are. We easily put ourselves in relation to a great politician, a celebrity or a bishop, but this does not say anything about who we really are.

       Who am I? It is a question we best ask before God, because before God there is no pretension. Before Him, we cannot but admit that we are sinners. Before Him, we become humble and small, like John the Baptist.

       This is our task as Christians. We were baptized and became Christ’s disciples to make Him visible in society. We are to be signposts that point to Christ as the ultimate goal of history, as the answer to all questions.

       Nothing great is demanded from signposts but only to show direction. We do this by simply trying to do what Christ tells us to do.  Fr. Rudy Horsts, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What makes you hide your real self from others? Why can’t you be honest – even before God?

 

Lord, You know me better than I know myself. You see me as I am, and still love me. May John the Baptist’s humility inspire me to be a simple signpost that leads other people to you.