John the Baptist's example (Sunday homily)

 In today’s Gospel, the Lord Jesus puts before us

the life and example of his friend and cousin, John the Baptist.

Now, first, isn’t that something to say: 

that the Lord our God has “friends” and even “cousins”?

But that is the reality of God becoming human. 

Let’s not overlook that wonder!

That said, this episode is striking in another way:

That the Lord Jesus – 

the Alpha and the Omega, the source and destiny of everything –

would step back and focus the spotlight on one of his creatures.

But then I realized: that’s what Jesus does all the time.

That’s what it means to be a saint: someone Jesus can point to and say:

Here is how it works. This is what holiness looks like.

And as I thought about John the Baptist, a book came to mind.

You’ve heard of it: The Lord of the Rings.

Maybe you’ve read it; but if you haven’t, 

it’s about a particular ring that is immensely powerful,

and therefore involves great temptation for all concerned.

And it’s about certain people who must undertake 

a journey and a task of the greatest peril. 

Everything depends on their courage and self-sacrifice 

and their perseverance.

Time after time, the right thing to do seems to be madness,

because it means refusing to take advantage of a powerful tool.

It seems to give the enemy all the advantages.

And a big part of it is accepting not being in control, 

but learning to trust.

And in case the point is not obvious:

This, too, it what it means to be a saint.

In God’s Providence, anything is possible; but generally speaking, 

the path of a saint is one of plodding along faithfully.

John the Baptist was the last in a long line of faithful witnesses.

From Noah and Abraham, Jacob and Joseph, 

Moses and Joshua, some – but not enough – of the kings;

Ezra and Nehemiah; Samuel and all the prophets and many more.

Each one was a link in a long chain, and the last witness was John,

who said not, the Messiah will come someday, but rather:

Here is right now: Behold the Lamb of God!

You know what made John the Baptist perfect for his job?

It wasn’t how smart he was, although he might have been really smart.

It wasn’t how well connected he was. 

In fact, he was part of a priestly family, so he was wired in. 

No, what made John perfect was that he was faithful.

And when the big moment arrived, he faced a tremendous temptation:

People came to him, they looked to him! What an ego trip.

And he had to say, not me, it’s not about me. It’s all about Jesus.

So often you and I feel that we don’t count very much.

And on a planet of seven billion souls, and in the long march of history,

you and I are just one brief blip.

Who will remember us?

Jesus! Jesus will remember you and me.

John the Baptist really only had one task: be faithful. That was it!

And of course, that’s my task and yours, too.

John’s question to Jesus is a little startling. Was he wavering?

He has been faithful, and now he is in prison, 

and maybe he wonders if it was all a colossal mistake?

And Jesus sends a message. In short: hang in there, John!

Don’t give up. You weren’t wrong. 

If you get discouraged, Jesus has the same word for you.

You aren’t wrong to be faithful.

And if you need some company, invite Jesus along.