John the Baptist shows us what humility is. He attracts people by the message he preaches – maybe his strange dress and diet make people curious too! However, he does not pull crowds and indulge his ego. He opens the way for the Kingdom of God, in Jesus, to break into our world.
Perhaps John teaches us that we should never underestimate the role and importance of ‘talent spotters’. John knew that Jesus was love in human form. He ‘spots’ Jesus and immediately points those who have come out to hear and see him towards Jesus.
Sometimes, in
our church communities, there can be a tendency for a priest or pastor to point towards themselves, focus the attention on themselves. There might also be others in the community who want to be the people who are seen and noticed. John the Baptist reminds us that when we draw and focus attention on ourselves, we are out of sync. Our lives should always point others to love incarnate, the Lord Jesus himself.
Through John’s ‘talent spotting’, by his promotion and preaching of the Kingdom and pointing towards Jesus, the first generation of believers saw God’s promises to their ancestors had been fulfilled. Our pointing towards Jesus might also help others see God’s faithfulness to them.
John is
inviting us not only to spot Jesus and point others towards him but also to notice – or spot – the love of God present in every act of goodness we see. Each day, we see many things. Can we spot God’s love in a moment or more of our daily lives?
Take time today to look at your own words and actions. Do they point others to Jesus? Might there be times you indulge your ego
instead of pointing towards Jesus? Can you see God’s goodness revealed to you in the last few days – maybe through an act of kindness or generosity? Give thanks to God.
Reflections by Russell Pollitt
SJ
