“Marching forward, with faith and love, through the valleys and mountains of the Year 2024!”

(Based on 1 Jn 2:22-28 and Jn 1:19-28 – Christmas Weekday)

One of the most common & natural styles of engaging in a conversation with a stranger, is getting to “know more” about the person.

This process to “getting to know more” about the person includes:
… getting to know His/Her name
… getting to know His/Her occupationsWee
… getting to know His/Her interests and likings

The Gospel of the Day is an introduction to the person of John the Baptist.

An attempt is made to ” know more” about John?
>> His name… His occupations… His interests and liking.


We are on the second day of the New Year.

The last one week has been a time of hectic activities and festive spirit…
>> We were treated to many sermons, reflections and thoughts on the Word of God.
>> We were feasting on a variety of good food, tasty delicacies and classic sweets.
>> We were enjoying many moments of fun, frolic, laughter and happiness.

But today onwards, things tend to “appear” to be ordinary and “normal”.

The time, after a grand celebration or a festive mood, can be always dangerous and dodgy…
… it can lead to extended period of laxity or slackness.
… it can remove the zing of enthusiasm and energy.
… it can cause one to creep into a mode of taking things for granted.


And so, the Gospel of the Day presents to us the message of not slipping into negligence or casualness….
… Rather, seeks to keep up our spirits high, and to be on the vigilance always.

>> People with great enthusiasm always tend to brush the energy onto others.
>> People with a passionate zeal always make a positive impact on the other.
>> People with a fighting spirit always rub on the vigour into other people.

And such a person… is John the Baptist.


The Fourth Gospel introduces the person of St John the Baptist to us.
>> He is a person of great enthusiasm, of a passionate zeal and of a fighting spirit.


Some Priests and Levites came to him to ask, “Who are you” (Jn 1: 19)

John the Baptist was quite clear and convinced of the answer to this question.
>> He admitted that he was not the Messiah. (Jn 1: 20)
>> He admitted that he was not Elijah. (Jn 1: 21)
>> He admitted that he was not the Prophet. (Jn 1: 21)

He testified that he was the voice crying in the desert. (Jn 1: 23)
>> He testified that he was the one exhorting to ‘make straight the way of the Lord’. (Jn 1:23)
>> He testified that he was the witness to the Light that was coming to enlighten the world. (Jn1: 8)
>> He testified that the One coming after him was ranking ahead of him (Jn 1: 15)

A deep conviction of “who he was” guided all the actions of John the Baptist.
>> A powerful knowledge of “his role in life” was the strength of mission for John the Baptist.
>> A clear cut awareness of “what was his mission” was the secret of success for John the Baptist.


Do I possess such kind of a deep and “anchored” conviction in my Christian Life?

John the Baptist was questioned, “Who are you” by many people.
>> He had an answer for it…
… and that made Him not to waver or get bogged down by situations.


Life often throws this question to us – “Who are you?”
>> When we face emotional crisis in our relationships and social interactions, we are encountered with this question, deep within us…
… “Who are you?”

>> When things in life do not go the way we wished or expected and somehow the future appears bleak, we are encountered with this question, deep within us…
… “Who are you?”

>> When in the castle of interiority, we experience a barrenness and a feeling of isolation from the Lord, we are encountered with this question, deep within us …
… “Who are you?”


Failing to find an answer to this question, can sometimes….
… plunge us into a deep struggle
… make us to fear life and people
…. crush our hopes and aspirations.


We may tend to think…
… “What really is the purpose of my life?
… “Why should I continue to life in this manner?”
… “I wish I could just be free from all this web of pain and tensions!”


Yes, life will at many times, throw this question at us – “Who are you?”

Today, St John the Baptist, exhorts & challenges us, to not get too disturbed when we are faced with this provoking question in life.
>> Our faith and strength, like St John the Baptist, ought to be Jesus, the Light.
>> Our hope and courage, like St John the Baptist, ought to be Jesus, the Messiah.


I am God’s Child….
… in this is my true identity.

I am the witness to the True Light…
… in this is my true role in life.

I am a Voice in the wilderness…
… in this is my Christian duty and obligation.

I am dependant on the Grace and Mercy of the Lord…
… in this is my authentic hope and faith.


May St John the Baptist, whom we have come to “know more” today, become an inspiration and a challenge, as we march forward…
… with faith and love
… through the valleys and mountains
… and wilderness and oasis
.. of the Year 2024!


God Bless! Live Jesus!


– Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India
Email: reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF SINS
>> Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like.
>> I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (CCC # 1852)
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