MY daily reflection and prayer:
Saturday, January 02, 2016
The Prayer Day for Priests
Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. John 1:19-28
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” And he answered, “No.” They said to him then, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
THE Gospel today records the message of St. John the Baptist who challenges us to recognize the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives. In all humility and sincerity he says he is only a voice bidding people to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. He points to the Redeemer who comes to save us from sin and death by saying, “Among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”
St. John the Baptist is surely the greatest of the prophets, yet he lives as a humble and faithful servant of God. He points others to Jesus, the Messiah and Savior of the world.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist we learn to recognize Jesus Christ by worshipping him faithfully. We are called as well to point others to Jesus Christ by the testimony of our witness.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, may we recognize your presence who dwells among and within us. Fill us with the Holy Spirit and renew in us the gifts of faith, hope, and love. Grant us courage to point others to your presence and power love now and forever. Amen.
PS: Special prayer for Fr. Estaphanus Willem Pau, Diocesan Priest of the Archdiocese of Semarang who is taking a rest in Semarang Elisabeth Hospital. Get well soon Farher!
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
