The Christmas Season concludes as the Advent Season began – with St. John the Baptist.
And the first thing that John does is try to “prevent” Jesus from being baptized by him, John.
John says, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”
Even John. Even John who leapt in the womb at the presence of Jesus. Even John of whom Jesus says there is no man born of woman greater than John the Baptist.
Even John.
John did not fully understand the ways of Jesus. Even John needed to learn, to yield, to let go, to give in for now.
Sometimes we can make the mistake that if we are connected to Jesus then everything has to go right. We make the common mistake that being connected to Jesus means we will understand everything, that we can intervene, adjust and fix immediately those situations, things, and events that aren’t going as we expect.
Results are a clever drug that can even infect our relationship with God. Even us.
And when John gives in to God, it is then that John sees heaven … “the heavens were opened …”
Sometimes our own predetermined will can be a subtle obstacle to deeper connection with God. But God works patiently, in the depths of the soul to free us from even ourselves. Therein is John the Baptist’s greatness.
Jesus comes toward us, too, just as He came toward John. And Jesus is patient. He works to free us even from ourselves so that He can show us the mysteries of His abundant grace. Yes, even us.
God bless,
Msgr. Bransfield
