“Becoming a witness and a testimony to the world, to reveal Jesus as the Redeemer!”

(Based on 1 Jn 2:29-3:6 and Jn 1:29-34 – Christmas Weekday)

The five fingers of the hand have their own functions and roles.

However, one among these five, is often engaged in a pretty notorious activity…
That Finger is …
… the Forefinger or the Index Finger.

And the activity that it is often used for, is… Blaming!

The Index finger or also called as the Pointer Finger is often used…
… to point to others and accuse them
… to point towards others and blame them
… to point towards others and lay a charge on them

This action is also called as Finger-Pointing – the act of casting the blame or assigning the blame for something, to someone else.

We have somehow, consciously or unconsciously, got into a habit of using our Index or the Forefinger to always blame and accuse others…
… and pass on the fault to other people.

The Gospel of the Day, is however, a welcome change to this “sickening” trend of finger-pointing!

We have St John the Baptist who utilizes this action of pointing, not for blaming or accusing…
… rather to point out the Saviour of the World!

He points out, in a majestic style, to Jesus… and declares emphatically, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1: 29)

He places our attention towards Jesus…
… to make known the One who is the long-awaited Messiah!
… and reveals to the world, the One who is to redeem humanity!
… to proclaim the One, who by His greatness, would grant salvation!

John the Baptist, becomes a witness and a testimony to the world, to reveal Jesus as the Redeemer!

This pointing to the Saviour reveals many inner qualities of St John the Baptist…

He displays great humility in acknowledging the greatness of Jesus!
He shows forth immense goodness in choosing to play the secondary role!
He exhibits nobility by gently shifting the focus and limelight to Jesus, the Saviour!
He demonstrates faithfulness to his mission of being the forerunner to the True Messiah!

Our life is sometimes plagued by the “bad tendency” to point to others, only in a negative sense…

We point to others…
… to pass on judgement and condemnation
… to cast feelings of guilt and culpability
… to make public the faults of other people

It’s not that we should refrain from constructive criticism…
… or correcting others gently
… or making the other person aware of their shortcomings.

But can we learn from St John the Baptist, the attitude to point out to others, in order to….
… Instill a sense of encouragement and affirmation
… Acknowledge their valuable and precious presence
… Allow people to notice the good and noble deeds of others

Pointing to others, ought not to be a tool of painful criticism and discouragement…
… rather it must be an action of encouragement and acknowledgement.

Pointing to others, ought not to be a medium of accusationand denunciation…
… rather it must be a means of appreciation and admiration.

Let us become a people of true acknowledgement…
… and not wasteful blaming.

Let us become a people of honest encouragement…
… and not critical judgment.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Marching forward, with faith and love, through the valleys and mountains of the Year 2026!”

(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.
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 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, hope and love
… through the valleys and mountains
… and wilderness and oasis
… of the New Year 2026!

God Bless! Live Jesus!