“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’” – Isaiah 40:3
It is obvious from reading today’s Gospel that John the Baptist knows who he is. He acknowledges and stands firm in who he is when responding to the Priest and Levites that ask, “who are you?” It is a fascinating question and can rouse several different responses. I can’t always answer that question with the same conviction that John the Baptist has. It is not because I don’t know who I am but because it can be so easy to forget.
So, who are you? A child of God; it is that simple. As it states in our Fundamental Principles, “You were created by the God of love in God’s image and according to God’s likeness, to be a unique expression of that love. It is through you that God desires to manifest Love…” God sent us His son and allowed Him to be sacrificed because we forgot that we were all created out of love and that He desired us to share that love with the people in our world. Jesus took on the cross solely and purely out of love.
During Advent we should reflect on God’s unconditional love for us so that we ourselves can love as freely as Christ loved us. It is the same love we are asked to give our students, parents, co-workers, spouses, the poor, those in need, and our children. If we strive to do this one thing, it will be difficult for us to forget who we are: the beloved children of God.
God of love, we ask for the grace to love as You have loved us. Give us the fortitude to live and say with conviction who we truly are; Love. Amen.
James K. Parker III