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Bringing
Others to Jesus
June
24, 2007
Fr.
George Smiga
Luke 1:57-66,
80
Today
we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist. This feast occurs
every year on June 24 th but it only occasionally falls on
a Sunday as it does this year. But this is a good thing, because
it provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon the figure
of John the Baptist. And the witness of John the Baptist reveals
one of the fundamental truths of life.
The
role of john the Baptist in the scriptures is very clear.
John is not about himself. He is the one who points to Jesus.
His words are the words that we hear at every mass before
communion, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin
of the world.” John is the one who shows us the way to the
Savior. John is the herald, but Jesus is the message. John
is the voice; Jesus is the Word. John prepares the path; Jesus
is the Way.
The
witness of John the Baptist is one which all of us should
hear. It tells us that the most important thing for us is
showing others the way to life. If we can somehow point the
way for others to see the depth of life's mystery and the
depth of God's love, then we can truly say that our life was
successful. Now this is an important lesson, because all too
often you and I imagine that our lives are about us. We spend
our energy and time trying to deal with our issues, our problems,
our hopes and dreams. We spend hours worrying, “Do I have
enough money?” “Will I remain in good health?” “Do I have
the admiration and respect of my peers?” We imagine that our
life will be full only if we were more attractive, only if
we have more friends and influence, only if we are able to
live in another place or to have another job. But all this
attention upon ourselves, ultimately does not help us. It
frustrates us.
Now
don't get me wrong. We do need to plan. We need to be responsible
about our needs and our future. But centering upon ourselves
does not bring happiness. Being self-absorbed leads only to
loneliness and despair. This is why we truly need the witness
of John the Baptist who tells us that the way to happiness
is to bring others to life. The way in which we can fulfill
our deepest desires is to lead others to Christ.
Parents
know this. When they can look upon their children and see
values and generosity which they helped place there, they
have a satisfaction that no one can take away. Spouses and
close friends know this. When they can look in one another's
eyes and see a love there that they made possible, they have
a joy that cannot be measured. When we take good and try to
hold onto it, that good will not grow, that good will not
bless us. But when we find ways to lead others to goodness,
that good multiplies and gladdens our heart. The things that
we hold onto for ourselves die with us. The love that we give
away lasts forever.
So
in a world where we are told over and over again that the
way to be happy is to accumulate things for ourselves, we
need the witness of John the Baptist who tells us that the
way to happiness is to bring others to life. Do you want to
be rich? Then give what you have to someone else. Do you want
to really live? Then lead someone else to a fuller life. Do
you want to be happy? Then give your love away. Life is not
about you. It is about bringing others to a fuller sense of
who they are and the world around us. Follow the example of
John the Baptist. Lead others to life. Lead others to Christ,
and you will find a joy that will last forever.
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