John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’
J ohn's call to repentance was more than, "You people have got to get your act straight!" It was, more precisely, his own identity, which he explained as, "...one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet."
I have often pondered the call to repentance and wondered how I should respond. I have certainly known regret, shame, and remorse over past deeds; and I have heard much of all three feelings among those who confessed their sins to me. But a sane person doesn't feel that way all the time. Nor do I suppose that's what the Lord expects of anyone.
The best advice I've been given about penance was, "Being joyful is the best form of penance." A Poor Clare nun assured me of that. Not being a naturally cheerful person like my salesman friend who greets each morning like a new opportunity, I took her suggestion as something wonderful but mysterious.
Saint Francis was so delighted by his discovery of the easiest, fastest, and most joyful path to salvation -- which was the Poverty of Jesus -- that he introduced his brave little band as "penitents from Assisi." His young disciples would have scorned credit cards, health insurance, and pensions had they existed at the time.
Saint John's model seems best. Asked if he might be the messiah, he insisted, "I am not he!" No one should claim to be The Messiah; and if they do you know they're not! The Lord commended Peter for discovering his true vocation, but he then spoke of his coming passion and death. Because that fit no one's definition of Messiah, the disciples could only wonder what on earth he was talking about.
"Sin is occasioned precisely by the fact that man refuses to admit his "creatureliness" and to acknowledge himself as merely a member of a total unity of life. He pretends to be more than he is."
There in the mud of the Jordan River, the Baptist and his baptized penitents admitted that they were only creatures of the most high God. Regardless of their accomplishments, personal wealth, and creative ingenuity, they knew they were doomed to die like every plant or animal that ever emerged from the stardust of Earth. Only God lives forever, only God is worthy of praise, only God can be trusted with one's total allegiance.
When we serve one another as the Lord did, beginning with concern and care for the least deserving among us and regarding them as true images of the Crucified God, and do so without expectation of acknowledgement or reward, we begin to follow in his steps.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.