Daily Word Of God
John 1:19-20, 22-27
This was the witness of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He declared, he did not deny but declared, ‘I am not the Christ.’
So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So he said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied: A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord. Make his paths straight!’ Now those who had been sent were Pharisees, and they put this question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the Prophet?’
John answered them, ‘I baptise with water; but standing among you — unknown to you- is the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandal.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- In today’s Gospel John the Baptist humbly declared that he was not the Christ but the herald, as prophesied by Isaiah, who points the way to the Messiah.
- John, the greatest of the prophets, chose to live as a humble and faithful servant of the Lord. He accepted martyrdom rather than to stop spreading the joy of salvation to the people.
- Do you point others to Christ through your witnessing and example? Ask Jesus for the grace to be the herald of His Word of Truth and grace.