Third Sunday of Advent

Lectionary: 9​

Now the people were filled with expectation,

and all were asking in their hearts

whether John might be the Christ.

John answered them all, saying,

“I am baptizing you with water,

but one mightier than I is coming.

Historians have pondered the "great man" theory; that is, that some individuals change the course of events by their energy, insight and charismatic genius. Certain individuals like Caesar Augustus, Attila, Francis of Assisi, Napoleon and Hitler seem to have reshaped the world around their particular personalities. The alternate theory maintains these individuals only read and interpret the times and catch the wave of change. They are credited with the change; it may be named after them; but it would have happened in any case.

In Christian discussion, the debate might ask, "Who is more effective, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?" Which is a silly question since both are obedient to God the Father. If Jesus made a huge impact by his life, death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit has moved among people and nations these millennia to keep the Name of Jesus alive and effective.

Clearly, as Saint Luke tells us, Jesus arrived during a moment of intense expectation. Jewish historians have acknowledged that. For whatever reason Jews, who had been scattered throughout the known world from India to Spain for many generations, entertained a religious expectation that the Roman Empire would suffer a severe comeuppance. The Chosen People would be revealed as the elect by God's mighty work. Naturally, with such expectation there was much speculation about the coming event and the mighty works. Predictably, there were many charlatans who took advantage of the opportunity. Expectant people are gullible.

Which of us has not been tempted to play the heroic part of Messiah, especially when others thought we were up to it? In dysfunctional family dynamics, one child is usually appointed as the hero. That boy or girl must mediate the difficult relations of parents and children, often protecting the weak from the powerful; and sometimes taking the blame when it belongs to others. That child must discipline the other children, making sure their chores are done and their messes cleaned up, lest all hell break lose when vindictive adults return. Or the hero child might step into adult shoes when the adults are not able to handle it, due to mental illness, drunkenness, sickness, or illiteracy. It's a dirty job but somebody has to do it.

And others are often too willing to let the hero play the part, until the hero messes up or becomes a tyrant, and then they rebel in righteous, humiliating wrath! Many priests and ministers were the designated heroes of their families, and unconsciously bring those dangerous presumptions to the ministry.

John the Baptist was certainly tempted to exploit the opportunity. He was recognized as a prophet; he dressed, ate, spoke and acted the part. He condemned the vicious exploitation of the powerful and the hypocrisy of the righteous, but had a kind heart for the meek and lowly. He refused the ordinary comforts that even poor people take for granted; he chose to live alone in the wilderness on whatever food he might find there. There was good reason to believe he was more than just a prophet; he might be "The Prophet" Moses had promised in the Book of Deuteronomy.

A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you from among your own kindred; that is the one to whom you shall listen.

He also had a band of disciples clinging to him. They thought of him as more than a phenomenon; he represented something new, an unexpected development that would change the course of future events. His disciples joined him because they wanted to be a part of that.

However, the New Testament insists, John resisted the temptation. Not only did he refuse the title of Messiah and point to Jesus as the One, he sent at least two of his disciples away from himself, to Jesus with his declaration, "Behold the Lamb of God...."

Catholics rightly celebrate Mary and Joseph as ideal parents and model disciples, but the New Testament gives us the Baptist as one who would not be tempted by his own authority. Wisdom had warned him that "power corrupts" and he would not take the bait. Empowered by the Holy Spirit and authorized to announce the gospel to every creature, Christians are tempted as John was tempted to serve the self rather than the Lord. We do well to ponder this exemplary man.