Who are You?

Today’s Gospel Text:  And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." 21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, "No." 22 They said to him then, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" 23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" 26 John answered them, "I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." 28 This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. John 1:19-28

Reflection:  “Who are you?” may not have been a wonderful question asked by the priests and Levites to John the Baptist but could be a wonderful question for each one of us to reflect on, this New Year.

There could be a plain answer in which we could identify ourselves by our name, surname, parents, place, town, city, sate, nation, language, ancestry, etc.   

It depends on where it is asked too? if in a school, it could mean a different thing or in a work place or a cafeteria or ………..

It also depends on who is asking this question, whether our own or whether an outsider or a survey agency or a cop?

It would also depend on how it is asked and if the intention is to rob us then we would react according to the gravity of the situation.

It also depends on the state of our mind and the various moods brought about by the many hurts, pain, pleasures, pride, anxieties of life, etc .. 

But let’s imagine ourselves in a situation like John and people were to ask us the same question? It could be either because they are impressed with something we have done, which could be praise worthy or things that have not been too worthy of praise?

A better way to look at this situation, is to see the possibility of the many who may not ask this question openly to us, either because of our modern requirements for etiquette or because it is ingrained in us that we need to be pleasing to people rather than hurt them. (Openly it is always a no, but surreptitiously one could hurt anyone)

Yet it is a question which we all must answer? And it has to be answered in the light of God’s word, the eternal reality and our ultimate destination, in the light of our existence? Who am I?

To those who know it, they will see themselves as a creature of God in need of his mercy and redemption to be set free, to be saved because they cannot help themselves without God’s saving grace offered as a free gift by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. 

Prayer:  Lord, help me to know myself better in the light of your word and to find your saving grace offered as a free gift through your Son Jesus Christ.

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