The news of John the Baptist’s preaching of the Baptism of repentance to the Jews to a renewal of life reached the central Jewish religious authorities. Baptism of repentance was meant only for gentiles. Thus, the Sanhedrin sent a delegation of experts to Bethany on the eastern bank of river to discover whether John was claiming to be the expected Messiah or his forerunner Elijah, the prophet, and to ask why he encouraged the Chosen People to receive the baptism of repentance. This is the context of today’s gospel.
John frankly declared in all humility that he was not Elijah nor the expected Messiah nor even one of the Old Testament prophets reincarnated. Thus, he said that he was the forerunner of the real Messiah, and that his mission was to prepare the lives of the Jews to receive the expected Messiah and to bear witness to him when he should appear in public.
John’s self-awareness of his own identity (Voice of Messiah) and mission (messenger of Messiah) derives from his awareness of Jesus’ identity that how he is related to Christ. Jesus’ identity is like a mirror for John to understand his identity. Because of this self-awareness he is aware what he should or should not say? So, he boldly tells that he is not Messiah, Elijah or Prophet. He is only the ‘voice’ of Messiah. John knows that he is not the light, but only spotlight which calls attention into objects or others. His mission is to point the hearts to Messiah.
Many people serving in the church do lot of good. But trying to impress people they draw attention to themselves not to Jesus. Amen.
Fr. Jerry Joseph Vallomkunnel MCBS